Merab Dvalishvili was born on January 10, 1991, in Tbilisi, Georgia, where the love for martial arts lit his heart right from childhood. Further, he began training in Georgian national kinds of wrestling, such as qartuli chidaoba and khridoli, sport sambo, and judo, eventually leading him to an eventual successful path in MMA fighting. Dvalishvili also finished his studies at the Physical Education College, further enhancing his love for sport and physical development.
Dvalishvili started his professional career in MMA in 2014, competing under promotions such as Cage Fury Fighting Championships and Ring of Combat. Despite losing his professional debut to Darren Mima at ROC 47, he gritted his way through and won the ROC bantamweight championship in February 2017.
This was an early success that launched him on the road to being a major name in MMA.
Dvalishvili made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017, against Frankie Saenz, losing via split decision. He didn't let early setbacks get to him, and since then, he has become one of the best bantamweights, known for his great cardiovascular fitness and grappling skills. Notable victories include wins over Marlon Moraes, José Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo.
Dvalishvili also set the UFC record for most takedowns attempted in a single bout, 49, against Petr Yan. On September 14, 2024, he defeated Sean O'Malley via unanimous decision to become UFC Bantamweight Champion at UFC 306.
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Dvalishvili trains under the highly respected Serra-Longo Fight Team headed by Ray Longo and Matt Serra. He moved to the United States when he was 21 years old with the hope of becoming an MMA professional.
Recognized as "The Machine," Dvalishvili is prolific on social networks, such as Instagram, and has over one million followers there. For this victory, the Government of Georgia awarded him a prize of 1 million Georgian lari to support grappling in his country.
Dvalishvili stands at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) and comes for the bantamweight division, competing at 135 lbs. His reach is 68 inches, which sometimes puts him at a disadvantage with taller opponents. However, he usually makes up for it with his great grappling skills and conditioning, proving himself an incredibly tough opponent inside the octagon.
Dvalishvili entered January 2025 with an 18-4-0 record in MMA and on an eleven-fight win streak. His performances in the UFC have made him a celebrated figure in Georgia and the global MMA community. His commitment to grappling and MMA has inspired many young athletes in his home country.
Currently, he is booked to make his first title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025.
That will be quite a highly touted fight and no doubt a very good test for Dvalishvili in cementing his stance as the UFC bantamweight champion.
Along with MMA, Dvalishvili has also competed in several grappling events. A 2019 World Sambo Championships runner-up, Dvalishvili has competed in other promotions such as Fury Pro Grappling and High Rollerz. He has an extensive background in sambo and judo, which has helped him a lot as a grappler in MMA.
Starting the year 2025, Dvalishvili's fame blew up just after winning a title in the UFC. He is active on all social media platforms, where he interacts with fans and gives them glimpses of training and personal life. His Instagram account boasts more than a million followers, reflecting his increasing influence in the MMA community.
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