ABOUT
MERAB
The first Georgian-born champion in UFC history — a relentless, cardio-fuelled wrecking machine who rewrote the bantamweight record books on his way to the throne.
FIRST GEORGIAN-BORN UFC CHAMPION
Born January 10, 1991 in Tbilisi, Georgia, Merab Dvalishvili is a Georgian-American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's bantamweight division. He spent seven years in Judo and Sambo before emigrating to the United States at 21 — barely speaking English and working construction to chase the dream.
He tore through a 14-fight win streak — the fourth longest in UFC history — beating four former champions along the way: José Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo and Sean O'Malley. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest bantamweights to ever compete.
"Once I step into the cage, that's my world. No problem."
RECORD-BREAKER
Pace, pressure and a motor his own coaches call superhuman — the UFC and divisional records that belong to The Machine.