Quick Info
| Profession | Mixed Martial Artist |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Georgian, American |
| Date of Birth | 10/01/1991 |
| Age | 35 years |
| Birthplace | Vani village, Tbilisi, Georgia (then-Soviet USSR) |
Latest News about Merab Dvalishvili
06/12/2025
Merab Dvalishvili lost his UFC Bantamweight Championship to Petr Yan via unanimous decision at UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 in a five-round rematch. Yan avenged his prior loss with a stunning performance, ending Dvalishvili's title reign after he had successfully defended it twice.
04/10/2025
Merab Dvalishvili defended his UFC Bantamweight Championship by defeating Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2. He dominated with 20 takedowns and 114 significant strikes to 80, securing a clear victory over the top contender.
07/06/2025
Merab Dvalishvili retained his UFC Bantamweight title with a submission victory over former champion Sean O'Malley via guillotine choke in round 3 at UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley 2. This marked his successful first title defense against the former titleholder he had previously beaten.
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Bio/Wiki
| Nickname(s) | The Machine |
|---|---|
| Notable Achievement | First Georgian-born UFC Champion in history; considered one of the greatest bantamweights of all time |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5' 6" (168 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 61 Kg (135 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Reach | 68" |
| Stance | Orthodox |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Degree | Degree in physical education |
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Personal Life
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox Christianity |
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| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
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| Tattoo | Flag of Georgia on left chest |
Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
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Family
| Father | Amiran Dvalishvili |
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| Mother | Darejan Dvalishvili |
Career
| Debut | Started amateur MMA on 14 July 2012 against Orlando Torres and turned professional on 24 January 2014 against Darren Mima. |
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| Team | Serra-Longo Fight Team (2013-present) |
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| Rank | Black belt in Judo |
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| Records |
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| Awards, Titles, Championships |
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| Professional Record | 21-5-0 |
| Notable Victories | Defeated 4 former UFC champions: José Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo, and Sean O'Malley |
Favourites
| Car Collection |
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Style Quotient
| Money Factor |
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Social Media
| https://www.instagram.com/merabdvalishvili | |
| https://www.facebook.com/Merab.Dvalishvili.TheMachine | |
| YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@merabdvalishvilimachine |
| https://x.com/MerabDvalishvil | |
| Official Website | https://officialmerabdvalishvili.com/ |
| TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@merab.dvalishvili |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Merab was born in the Soviet USSR and grew up in Georgia after its independence in 1991. | |
| 2. He engaged in street fights during childhood and began training in traditional Georgian wrestling and judo at age 12-13. | |
| 3. Moved to the USA at 21, where he worked as a construction worker while pursuing MMA. | |
| 4. He began his amateur fights in 2012 and transitioned to professional MMA by 2014. | |
| 5. Defeated Raufeon Stots on 2 June 2017, which led to his UFC contract. | |
| 6. Made his UFC debut on 9 December 2017 but lost against Frankie Saenz. | |
| 7. Won a silver medal at the 2019 World Sambo Championships in South Korea. | |
| 8. Endured significant physical setbacks, including serious injuries, and underwent surgeries. | |
| 9. Won the gold medal at the U.S. National Combat Sambo Tournament in June 2024. | |
| 10. Became the UFC Bantamweight Champion on 14 September 2024, marking a historic win for Georgia. | |
| 11. Maintains strong cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance; known for tactical endurance in fights. | |
| 12. Initially started showboating during fights after defeating Henry Cejudo in February 2024. | |
| 13. Has a friendship with Mark Zuckerberg, who has supported him in his MMA career. | |
| 14. Pledged to donate his $1 million award from the Georgian government to develop grappling in Georgia. | |
| 15. Has a penchant for Georgian dumplings and faced stomach issues after eating yoghurt before a fight. | |
| 16. Utilizes a strategy of exhausting opponents in the initial rounds. | |
| 17. Offers merchandise through a partnership with Takedown on his official website. | |
| 18. Proudly represents his Georgian culture and often wears traditional Georgian attire. | |
| 19. Expressed a desire to find a girlfriend or wife in a 2024 interview. |