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
04/10/2025
Merab Dvalishvili defended his UFC bantamweight title against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 with a unanimous decision victory. He controlled the fight with relentless wrestling and volume striking, further extending his championship run and reinforcing his place among the division's all-time greats.
07/06/2025
Merab Dvalishvili retained his UFC bantamweight title by submitting Sean O'Malley in the third round at UFC 316. The win gave him another successful defense of the belt and added to a dominant stretch in which he continued to pile up records in the division.
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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) |
| Trainer/Mentor(s) |
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| Rank | Black belt in Judo |
| Division(s) |
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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. |