Before his championship title defense at UFC 316, Merab Dvalishvili faced an unexpected and dangerous moment during his walk to the octagon.
“What happened was I’m walking and people tried to touch me and then I tried to jump touch them and I guess they pushed the barrier,” Dvalishvili explained. “They jumped and they almost kicked me in the head and they almost knocked me out before I walk in. The barrier got broke or something because people push.”
In the ensuing chaos, security intervened and held him against the wall for his safety.
“Then security put me against the wall and I’m like ‘bro, I’m a fighter, let me go,’” he recalled.
Despite the disruption, Dvalishvili remained composed and focused, ultimately going on to defend his title with a dominant submission victory. He reflected on the incident with professionalism:
“I see what happened. I’m just professional and I don’t… I mean nothing I can do that time. I cannot really help people or I cannot really… this happened and happen and I have to make sure to act again.”
Officials reassured him that no fans were injured during the incident, which could have prematurely ended his night.
Origins
Dvalishvili’s rise from a childhood marked by hardship makes the walkout incident even more poignant.
“When I was young, I wanted to be an athlete because I want to represent my country outside of my country,” he shared. “I was living in Georgia. I speak only Georgian and I don’t really see much. I grow up like I don’t even have a TV until I was 12 and I don’t even really have electricity in my car because we was coming from the war 1991.”
He described the daily struggles of life in post-war Georgia:
“He was growing up as a new new new new new new new and it doesn’t even make sense to have a refrigerator you know because light was going and come maybe.”
Reflecting on how far he’s come, Dvalishvili said:
“I come from nothing. I started fighting in the sport because I want to represent my country and I think I’m doing okay. I’m happy that I can make my country people, Georgian people proud.”
His story is an inspiration to athletes everywhere, especially those from small or struggling nations.
Champion
Despite the rocky start to his walkout, Dvalishvili delivered a commanding performance against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, defending the bantamweight title.
“It was today special day because we was fighting here close to New York, New Jersey. I start professional career here. I start my first steps United States here,”
Known as “The Machine” for his relentless pace and pressure, he adapted his strategy throughout the fight.
“To be honest, I’m just getting better everywhere. I’m not only focused for one thing. During the training camp the game plan changed. Sometimes I’m doing like body shots good. Sometimes I look good in striking.”
The fight ended with a rare “north south ninja choke” submission in the championship rounds, extending Dvalishvili’s UFC win streak to 13.
Praise
UFC President Dana White was effusive in his praise following the fight.
“He’s starting to look like one of the best bantamweights of all time, if not the best.”
White was impressed with Dvalishvili’s performance against a healthy and well-prepared O’Malley.
“We don’t know [what it might take to beat him]. And Sean O’Malley came in 100% healthy, ready mentally, physically, in every way you could be ready for this fight. And Merab finished.”
With ambitions to defend his title multiple times in 2024—potentially four defenses—Dvalishvili is setting new standards.
“I never say no to guys that want to fight too much,” White said. “There’s no such thing.”
Dvalishvili’s marketability and exciting fighting style make him a favorite both inside the cage and with fans.
