He’s been known as The Machine for a while, but this year Merab Dvalishvili is operating on an entirely different setting.
Three title defences. Three top-class opponents. Three fights where Dvalishvili completely drowned world-class fighters.
And now, heading into yet another fight this weekend against Petr Yan at UFC 323, the Georgian powerhouse is on the verge of something we almost never see in MMA – a fourth title defence in a single year.
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan | SUN 7 DEC 2PM AEDT | Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will look to make history and become the first fighter to defend a championship for a fourth time in a year when he takes on former champ Petr Yan in Las Vegas. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
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He started the year by giving Umar Nurmagomedov the first loss of his career. Then he submitted Sean O’Malley in June. Then he dominated Cory Sandhagen in October.
Every title fight played out a little differently, yet one thing stayed the same – Dvalishvili kept pushing the pace.
Even UFC commentator Joe Rogan couldn’t ignore it, calling him a “f**king monster” and praising the way he “melts the greatest of the greats.”
“He’s insane. His cardio is something that everyone who has been involved in the sport for as long as I have, is blown away by it,” said Rogan on his podcast.
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“That guy’s a freak. Daniel Cormier went to visit him after he won the title… the next day he’s out running. He doesn’t stop.”
Speaking to Fox Sports Australia this week, Dvalishvili smiled when the “monster” compliment from Rogan was brought up.
“Yeah, a little bit, I’m a monster,” he admitted.
“I like to work hard, workout and I’m always willing to get better. I don’t like to relax too much or waste time.
“I dedicate my time to MMA. I come from a long way [away] and I don’t want to waste any time.”
He certainly isn’t. What Dvalishvili is doing in 2025 is unheard of in today’s UFC, where champions usually fight once or twice a year. He’s doing it four times, all against top-ranked killers.
Dvalishvili is also quick to point out that his legendary gas tank is the product of years of relentless effort, not something he was born with.
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“It’s not genetic. This comes from hard work and experience.
“I remember after my [first] pro fight, after the first round my heart was going crazy and I was breathing heavy.
“… but every year my cardio gets better and that’s why I make it look easy now.”
And that work ethic? It goes back to before anyone knew his name.
Despite turning pro in 2014, Dvalishvili still worked full-time construction until 2020 – and only quit because COVID shut the job down.
“When I move to the United States I was 21 years old and I moved to Long Island in New York. I don’t have social security, I don’t even speak English,” he explained.
“I worked in construction as a demolition man and handy man. It’s what kind of jobs I was doing to live here in the United States.
“I would work full time in construction and after work I was going to the gym.”
Those years, he says, hardened him long before he ever stepped into the Octagon.
“Those experiences were very important for my life,” he says.
“They make me tough and they were good experiences for me. Now I’m trying to stay disciplined and train as hard as I can.”
As Dvalishvili gears up for his rematch with Yan, he’s approaching the fight with the same focus that has defined his career.
He’s not just looking to defend the title though – he’s eyeing a milestone no one has achieved before in the UFC: putting the former champ away.
“I’m looking for the finish this fight, because nobody ever did it,” he said.
“But anything can happen… one punch can change everything.”
While Dvalishvili is best known for his relentless style inside the Octagon, 2025 has seen fight fans warming to a different side of the Georgian star – his cheeky personality on social media.
From joking about his training routines to taking the mickey out of his teammates, Dvalishvili’s videos have proved very popular.
This week, while cutting weight, he posted a clip of himself smelling pizza slices in between taking bites out of a vegetable.
“I do miss pizza,” he laughed.
“But over the next couple of days I won’t be able to have anything close to that.”
But what about after the fight?
“I will go to the club and dance like I did last time and see all my friends who come there…”
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And the following day?
“I will be running the next day.”
Because of course he will.