Outside a hotel lobby, UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili and middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis engaged in an impromptu wrestling lesson, much to the amusement of onlookers.
The Georgian champion, known for his high-energy personality and exceptional wrestling skills, was spotted demonstrating technical moves to Du Plessis. “Here, there is children,” Dvalishvili was heard saying, showing awareness of their surroundings while keeping the demonstration family-friendly.
As the two UFC stars worked on leg techniques, Dvalishvili could be heard explaining, “People understand what is going on,” while methodically breaking down the movements. The South African champion appeared eager to learn, paying close attention to the instruction.
The memorable moment highlighted the camaraderie between athletes from different weight classes, with Dvalishvili focusing particularly on leg positioning. “The legs. Legs,” he emphasized during the tutorial, showcasing the fundamental aspects of wrestling technique.
Passersby and fans gathered to witness this unexpected training session, which demonstrated the spontaneous nature of martial arts learning opportunities, even in unconventional locations like hotel exteriors. The scene reinforced Dvalishvili’s reputation as a dedicated grappler who is always willing to share his knowledge.
Dvalishvili’s presence as a wrestling mentor is no surprise given his remarkable journey to UFC gold. The Georgian standout initially struggled in the promotion, losing his first two UFC bouts. At that point, many doubted his future in the organization. However, he refused to be discouraged, embarking on a dominant winning streak that ultimately secured him a title shot against Sean O’Malley.
At UFC 306, Dvalishvili claimed the bantamweight title in Las Vegas, defeating O’Malley via unanimous decision. The event was a massive financial success, generating $22 million in gate revenue. His relentless grappling and pressure-heavy style overwhelmed O’Malley, proving that perseverance and discipline can overcome early career setbacks.
The significance of Dvalishvili’s success has not gone unnoticed in his home country. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze recently awarded both Dvalishvili and Ilia Topuria—Georgia’s featherweight champion—a substantial financial reward. Each received one million Georgian Lari, roughly $375,000 USD, as recognition for their historic UFC achievements.
Dvalishvili, known as “The Machine” due to his relentless work ethic, has pledged to use his award to develop grappling programs and support local MMA teams, BJJ, judo, and wrestling clubs in Georgia. His long-term vision is to cultivate future UFC champions and strengthen the nation’s combat sports presence.
“Merab Dvalishvili said that he will give this money to charities and develop the MMA Teams and BJJ/Judo/Wrestling clubs in order to raise more UFC Champions in Georgia ❤” – as per Georgian journalist Giorgi Kokiashvili.
