UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili and his father Amiran have become the internet’s latest sensation ahead of UFC 316.
As “The Machine” prepares for his highly anticipated rematch against Sean O’Malley on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, a video showing him training with his father has captured the hearts of fans worldwide and sparked an unexpected challenge.
The viral Instagram clip shows the elder Dvalishvili showcasing impressive moves, including a swift elbow to the throat and effortlessly lifting his son off his feet. The playful session ends with both men beaming with joy, demonstrating that even during the intensity of fight camp, there’s always room for family moments.
What began as a wholesome training video quickly evolved into a humorous callout session, with fans flooding the comments section suggesting that Amiran Dvalishvili should be Jake Paul’s next opponent.
“I’ve seen enough, give him Jake Paul,” wrote one fan, while another commented, “We found Jake Paul’s next opponent.” These lighthearted jabs reference the criticism Paul often receives about his choice of opponents in his boxing career.
Other fans were simply impressed by the elder Dvalishvili’s skills, with comments like “Only man who can beat Merab ❤️” and “He is the only one who can take the belt off Merab. Book this fight ASAP.”
Some viewers even compared Amiran’s performance to professional fighters, with one fan noting, “Old man got a successful takedown than Umar,” referencing Merab’s recent victory over Umar Nurmagomedov.
Despite the recent concern over Merab’s pinky toe injury during training, his team has assured fans that it won’t affect his title defense. The Georgian champion enters UFC 316 as a 3-to-1 favorite, riding an impressive 12-fight win streak.
Looking beyond his upcoming match with O’Malley, Dvalishvili has ambitious plans to defend his bantamweight title twice more in 2025, potentially in Guadalajara and New York, as he works to cement his legacy in the division.
But for now, it seems the MMA community has found a new fan favorite in “Coach Amiran,” whose unexpected appearance in his son’s training video has provided a delightful break from the usual intensity of fight preparation.
As one commenter humorously observed about Amiran, “His Dad 159yrs old his cardio ridiculous,” highlighting the unexpected athleticism that has fans clamoring to see more of the elder Dvalishvili.
With UFC 316 approaching rapidly, Merab now has not only his technical skills and conditioning on his side but also the internet’s newest favorite coach and a heartwarming story of family support behind him as he prepares to face “Suga” Sean O’Malley.
