Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili, nicknamed "The Machine," is a Georgian mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC bantamweight division.

Born and raised in Tbilisi, Georgia, Dvalishvili grew up training in qartuli chidaoba (traditional Georgian wrestling), khridoli, sambo, and judo before relocating to the United States to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. He built his early professional record on the regional circuit, including a stint as Ring of Combat bantamweight champion, before earning a UFC contract on Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight with a first-round spinning backfist knockout of Raufeon Stots. He trains with the Serra-Longo Fight Team under the guidance of Ray Longo and Matt Serra.

His wrestling pedigree from Georgia, combined with a judo black belt, underpins a grappling-first approach that has become his calling card in the cage.

Dvalishvili is known for an extraordinary gas tank and a relentless, high-output pace that rarely lets up across a fight. He pressures opponents from the opening bell, chains together takedown attempts, and mixes in clinch strikes, including trademark thigh kicks and knees, wearing down opponents mentally and physically over the course of a fight.

Over his UFC career, Dvalishvili has recorded notable wins over former champions Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo. He captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship with a decision win over Sean O'Malley, then defended the title against Umar Nurmagomedov and against O'Malley again in a rematch before the belt changed hands to Yan.

As the first Georgian-born UFC champion, Dvalishvili is regarded as one of the most durable and relentless pressure fighters the bantamweight division has produced, a wrestling-based grinder whose cardio and volume redefined what a full-fight pace could look like at 135 pounds.