Merab Dvalishvili: The “Machine” of UFC

Merab Dvalishvili, known for his relentless training, is preparing to defend his bantamweight title at UFC 316 against Sean O’Malley. Interestingly, he’s developed quite the appetite for unusual foods.

Kayla Harrison, who is set to challenge Giuliana Pena for the Women’s Bantamweight Crown, recalled a moment from a UFC filming in New Jersey last year. “He’s absolutely crazy,” she remarked. “He was eating sardines—like, the actual fish we were feeding to the penguins. I thought, ‘You’re an animal.’”

Despite English not being his first language, Dvalishvili has a way of connecting with fans, thanks to his down-to-earth nature and friendly personality. This approach has played a role in his rise to contend for O’Malley’s title, especially with his quirky social media videos.

Many of these clips seem scripted, but Dvalishvili might be even more captivating in unscripted moments. Reflecting on a time he tried the penguin food, he said he was just a bit hungry. “I think they were full, you know? I was kind of peckish. The food was healthy—mostly fish,” he shared in a post this week.

Dvalishvili and Harrison, along with two-division champion Alex Pereira and Hall of Famer Robbie Lawler, made an appearance at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. They also crossed paths again in Morristown, New Jersey, where they enjoyed photographs and shared laughs.

This reunion harkened back to when they first met at a judo event in New York back in 2016. They’ve made significant strides since then—Dvalishvili’s mixed martial arts career had a shaky start, and Harrison was transitioning from Olympic judo to MMA. Now, they are both prominent figures in the UFC, sharing the spotlight on pay-per-view events.