| Merab was born in the Soviet USSR and grew up in Georgia after its independence in 1991. |
| He engaged in street fights during childhood and began training in traditional Georgian wrestling and judo at age 12-13. |
| Moved to the USA at 21, where he worked as a construction worker while pursuing MMA. |
| He began his amateur fights in 2012 and transitioned to professional MMA by 2014. |
| Defeated Raufeon Stots on 2 June 2017, which led to his UFC contract. |
| Made his UFC debut on 9 December 2017 but lost against Frankie Saenz. |
| Won a silver medal at the 2019 World Sambo Championships in South Korea. |
| Endured significant physical setbacks, including serious injuries, and underwent surgeries. |
| Won the gold medal at the U.S. National Combat Sambo Tournament in June 2024. |
| Became the UFC Bantamweight Champion on 14 September 2024, marking a historic win for Georgia. |
| Maintains strong cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance; known for tactical endurance in fights. |
| Initially started showboating during fights after defeating Henry Cejudo in February 2024. |
| Has a friendship with Mark Zuckerberg, who has supported him in his MMA career. |
| Pledged to donate his $1 million award from the Georgian government to develop grappling in Georgia. |
| Has a penchant for Georgian dumplings and faced stomach issues after eating yoghurt before a fight. |
| Utilizes a strategy of exhausting opponents in the initial rounds. |
| Offers merchandise through a partnership with Takedown on his official website. |
| Proudly represents his Georgian culture and often wears traditional Georgian attire. |
| Expressed a desire to find a girlfriend or wife in a 2024 interview. |
