7 Reasons Merab Dvalishvili Is the Most Underrated Champion in UFC Today
Merab Dvalishvili doesn’t fight for attention, but he still deserves more of it. The reigning bantamweight champ has built a career on relentless pace, quirky antics, and fierce loyalty, yet somehow still flies under the radar. Here are more reasons the UFC world is sleeping on a one-of-a-kind champion.
He Beat Sean O’Malley Before Most Thought He Could
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When Merab took on Sean O’Malley, the UFC’s fan favorite, the spotlight wasn’t exactly tilted his way. However, he walked into that cage and dismantled the hype train. While O’Malley was seen as the division’s future, Merab was the one who walked away with the belt.
His Gas Tank Just Doesn’t Run Out
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Merab doesn’t pace himself. He once attempted a record-setting 49 takedowns in a single UFC fight. His cardio has become the stuff of gym legend, and yet, it rarely gets highlighted the same way a knockout punch does. In a five-round war, few can match that engine.
Viral Moments Follow Him—Even Outside the Cage
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The man filmed himself jumping headfirst into a frozen lake during a snowstorm. He posted the video, laughed at himself, and gained thousands of followers overnight. That kind of unfiltered self-awareness is rare in sports.
He’s Fought in Silence, But Let His Record Speak
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Merab’s UFC record is stacked with wins, but he hasn’t always headlined events or hogged the post-fight mic with trash-talk or self-praise. Still, his 13-fight win streak is one of the longest in bantamweight history.
He Doesn’t Just Fight for Himself—He Fights for Respect
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When fans heckled his teammates, Merab didn’t let it slide. He once leapt over a barricade to confront someone disrespecting Sterling after a tough loss. He has no interest in playing security guard, but has zero tolerance for poor sportsmanship.
He Posts Training Injuries—Then Keeps Training
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Most fighters keep injuries quiet during camp. Not Merab. He once sliced his eyebrow open weeks before a fight, needed stitches, and still posted the video online. Then he removed the stitches himself using what Dana White described as “bush shears.”
He Doesn’t Flinch Around Danger
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During a post-fight backstage chaos involving teammates, Merab saw tensions rising. He jumped over a barrier and open-handedly hit a guy to defend his friend. The situation blew up. He never hesitates to step in for people he cares about, even if it escalates things.
He Refused to Fight His Best Friend for the Belt
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When the UFC floated a potential title fight between Merab and his longtime teammate Aljamain Sterling, he didn’t entertain it for a paycheck or glory. His loyalty runs deeper than rankings. That’s a rare stance in a cutthroat business.
He Took Responsibility Seriously as a Kid
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At age 6, Merab took a bus trip to buy a stick of butter. He followed directions exactly but forgot a bag. The butter melted in his hands, and he cried when he got home. He’s not perfect, but he’s always committed.
He Was Nearly Electrocuted—and Just Brushed It Off
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Merab once touched exposed wires near his family’s home as a child. The current froze him in place until his brother kicked him free. He survived with burned palms and a story most wouldn’t believe.
He’ll Take a Dare Without Asking Questions
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His brother jokingly dared him to jump on horseshoe nails as a kid. Merab did it instantly, without hesitation. One pierced his foot, and he bled everywhere. Instead of freaking out, he laughed and asked if his brother was scared.
He Films Everything, Even Fights With Tour Guides
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While vacationing in Jamaica, a dispute with a machete-wielding tour guide escalated quickly. Most would run, but Merab filmed. Aljamain Sterling watched in disbelief as his friend kept recording mid-chaos.
He Balances Two Training Camps on Opposite Coasts
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Most fighters stick with one gym, but Merab juggles full-time training at Ray Longo’s Serra-Longo team in New York and Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas. Thus, his fight style is shaped by two philosophies and a network of coaches who agree: Merab listens, learns, and always shows up ready.
He Never Needed Trash Talk to Sell a Fight
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Merab Dvalishvili built his name with silence and stamina. He rarely calls anyone out or stirs up rivalries, preferring instead to let fans discover his work ethic and skillset for themselves. Offbeat videos and bizarre training clips do more for his popularity than forced soundbites.
He’s a Champion Who Still Acts Like the Underdog
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Despite his UFC Bantamweight Championship belt, Merab carries himself like he’s still chasing something. He jokes, trains hard, and sticks with his people. He’s a refreshingly real person in a sport full of personas.