Merab Dvalishvili, the Georgian-American former UFC Bantamweight Champion, has built a reputation as one of the most non-stop, cardio-driven fighters in the sport, and heading into 2026 he’s still gunning for a return to the top of the division. Below is everything currently known about his life, career, and finances.
Merab Dvalishvili’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Merab Dvalishvili |
| Nickname | The Machine |
| Date of Birth | January 10, 1991 |
| Age | 35 years |
| Birthplace | Vani, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union (now Georgia) |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | Georgian and American (naturalized U.S. citizen since March 2024) |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight Class | Bantamweight (135 lb) |
| Reach | 68 in (173 cm) |
| Gym / Team | Serra-Longo Fight Team, Long Island, New York |
| Professional Debut | January 24, 2014 (loss to Darren Mima) |
| Current Ranking | #1 UFC Bantamweight contender (former champion); #8 UFC pound-for-pound |
| MMA Record | 21 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2–3 million |
| Relationship Status | Reportedly single |
| Spouse / Partner | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| @merab.dvalishvili |
Merab grew up in Soviet-era Georgia wrestling since childhood, and that grappling foundation is basically the engine behind his UFC success today. He moved to the U.S. at 21 to chase a professional MMA career and now trains full-time out of Long Island under Ray Longo and Matt Serra.
Early Career
Merab began fighting in 2014 on regional shows like Cage Fury FC and Ring of Combat, losing his pro debut before rebounding to win the Ring of Combat Bantamweight title.
He earned his UFC contract after a highlight-reel spinning backfist knockout on “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” in June 2017, finishing his regional run with a 7-2 record before stepping into the UFC cage later that year.
Professional Career
Merab’s UFC run started rocky, with back-to-back losses to Frankie Saenz and Ricky Simón. From there he caught fire, stringing together a 14-fight win streak, the fourth-longest in UFC history, and beating four former champions along the way in José Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo, and Sean O’Malley.
He won the bantamweight belt off O’Malley at UFC 306 in September 2024 and defended it three times, setting the all-time UFC takedown record with 119 landed, before losing the title back to Yan by decision at UFC 323 in December 2025. He’s now booked for a trilogy fight against Yan at UFC 333 on October 24, 2026.
Merab Dvalishvili’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Most outlets place Merab’s net worth somewhere between $2 million and $3 million, built mainly from UFC fight purses, pay-per-view points, performance bonuses, sponsorships, and his growing social media presence. His financial jump came after winning the title at UFC 306, where his total payout, including bonuses, reportedly hit around $1.43 million, by far the biggest check of his career at the time. The Georgian government also gave him a 1 million Lari (roughly $367,000) prize for becoming the country’s first UFC champion, which he donated to support grappling programs back home rather than keeping it.
Fight Purses
| Event | Date | Result | Reported/Estimated Purse |
| UFC 306 vs. Sean O’Malley | September 14, 2024 | Win (Title) | $500,000 base; ~$1.43M total with bonuses |
| UFC 311 vs. Umar Nurmagomedov | January 18, 2025 | Win | $500,000 disclosed (excl. bonuses) |
| UFC 316 vs. Sean O’Malley 2 | June 7, 2025 | Win | ~$875,000–925,000 (estimated) |
| UFC 320 vs. Cory Sandhagen | October 4, 2025 | Win | N/A |
| UFC 323 vs. Petr Yan 2 | December 6, 2025 | Loss | $750,000 purse + bonuses, ~$2.34M total |
Career Earnings
| Source | Estimated Value |
| UFC fight purses (career, disclosed fights) | ~$4.2 million+ (estimate, excludes undisclosed bonuses/PPV) |
| Sponsorships & brand deals | Multiple six-figure partnerships (see Endorsements) |
| Instagram/YouTube income | Roughly $100,000–$150,000 per year (estimated) |
| Government award (UFC 306 title win) | ~$367,000 (donated to grappling programs) |
| Total Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $2–3 million |
Endorsements
Merab has built a solid endorsement portfolio outside the cage, partnering with brands like Aviator (Spribe), Stake, and Thorne Health as an official brand ambassador, plus deals with Flash Motors, Nabeghlavi mineral water, StarPro Combat, Panini America, GA Logistics LLC, and Desert 215 Superstore.
Several of these tie back to his Georgian roots, reflecting his popularity at home as the country’s first UFC champion, while others, like his gambling and supplement sponsorships, are typical of top-ranked UFC athletes cashing in on their profile. He also runs an e-commerce merchandise store through Athlete Studio and earns supplementary income from his YouTube channel, which has grown past 140,000 subscribers.
Championships & Achievements
| Achievement | Detail |
| UFC Bantamweight Championship | One-time champion (2024–2025), three successful defenses |
| Takedown Record | Most takedowns landed in UFC history (119) |
| Win Streak | 13-fight win streak in the bantamweight division, 4th longest in UFC history overall |
| Fight of the Night | Three times (vs. Ricky Simón, Umar Nurmagomedov, Petr Yan 2) |
| Performance of the Night | Two times (vs. Marlon Moraes, Sean O’Malley 2) |
| First Georgian-Born UFC Champion | Historic milestone for Georgia |
| ESPY Award | 2025 Best MMA Fighter |
| ESPN Men’s Fighter of the Year | 2025 |
| Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship | One-time champion, regional promotion |
Fight Record
| Opponent | Result | Method | Event | Date |
| Petr Yan (2nd meeting) | Loss | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 323 | December 6, 2025 |
| Cory Sandhagen | Win | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 320 | October 4, 2025 |
| Sean O’Malley (2nd meeting) | Win | Submission (north-south choke) | UFC 316 | June 7, 2025 |
| Umar Nurmagomedov | Win | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 311 | January 18, 2025 |
| Sean O’Malley | Win | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 306 | September 14, 2024 |
| Henry Cejudo | Win | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 298 | February 17, 2024 |
| Petr Yan (1st meeting) | Win | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night | March 11, 2023 |
| José Aldo | Win | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 278 | August 20, 2022 |
FAQs
1. Who is Merab Dvalishvili?
Merab Dvalishvili, nicknamed “The Machine,” is a Georgian mixed martial artist and former UFC bantamweight champion. Born January 10, 1991, in Tbilisi, Georgia, he trains with the Serra-Longo Fight Team and is known for his relentless pace, elite wrestling, and record-setting cardio-based grappling style.
2. What is Merab Dvalishvili’s fight record?
His professional MMA record stands at 21 wins and 5 losses, with 3 wins by knockout, 2 by submission, and 16 by decision. In the UFC specifically, he holds a 14-3 record across 15 fights.
3. Is Merab Dvalishvili still the UFC bantamweight champion?
No, he is no longer champion. He lost the title to Petr Yan by unanimous decision at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, in a bout that won Fight of the Night honors.
4. How did Merab Dvalishvili win the UFC title?
He captured the UFC bantamweight championship on September 14, 2024, at UFC 306, defeating Sean O’Malley by unanimous decision after five rounds. Before that win, he had built a 14-fight win streak, the fourth-longest in UFC history.
5. Who has Merab Dvalishvili defeated in title fights?
He defended his belt twice before losing it: he beat Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision at UFC 311 in January 2025, then defeated Sean O’Malley again via third-round submission (north-south choke) at UFC 316 in June 2025.
6. Why is Merab Dvalishvili nicknamed “The Machine”?
The nickname reflects his exceptional cardio, non-stop pace, and unmatched work rate in the octagon. He holds the UFC record for most successful takedowns in history (119) and ranks second all-time in total strikes landed.
7. What is Real American Freestyle and why is Merab competing there?
Real American Freestyle (RAF) is a professional freestyle wrestling league co-founded by the late Hulk Hogan. Dvalishvili signed with RAF in early 2026, making his debut at RAF 08 in Philadelphia, later facing Frankie Edgar at RAF 09 and Henry Cejudo at RAF Georgia, all outside his ongoing UFC career.
8. What happened in Merab Dvalishvili’s fight against Henry Cejudo?
Dvalishvili headlined RAF Georgia against Henry Cejudo on July 11, 2026, in Tbilisi, and won the bout by decision, improving his record in the crossover promotion to 2-0.
9. What is next for Merab Dvalishvili?
He is scheduled for a rematch against Henry Cejudo for the inaugural RAF Lightweight Crossover Championship at RAF 12 on August 22, 2026. He is also set to face Petr Yan in a trilogy bout for the UFC bantamweight title on October 24, 2026, at UFC 333.
10. What is Merab Dvalishvili’s net worth?
Estimates place his net worth between roughly $2 million and $3 million as of 2026, drawn primarily from UFC fight purses, pay-per-view shares, performance bonuses, and endorsement deals. His biggest career payout came from UFC 306, where his total earnings, including bonuses, reached approximately $1.43 million.