Merab Dvalishvili Biography: Height, Age, Weight, Record, Parents, Net Worth, Girlfriend

Merab Dvalishvili, known as “The Machine,” is a Georgian-American professional mixed martial artist and the current UFC Bantamweight Champion.

He is celebrated for his relentless wrestling, exceptional cardio, and a 13-fight win streak —one of the longest in UFC history.

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, he moved to the United States at 21 to pursue MMA, overcoming early setbacks to become the first Georgian-born UFC champion with a unanimous decision victory over Sean O’Malley in September 2024.

Profile

• Full Name: Merab Dvalishvili
• Stage Name: The Machine
• Born: 10, January 1991
• Age: 34 years old
• Birthplace: Tbilisi, Georgia
• Nationality: Georgian, American
• Occupation: Professional Mixed Martial Artist
• Height: 1.68 m
• Parents:  Amiran Dvalishvili and Darejan Dvalishvili
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Merab Dvalishvili was born on January 10, 1991, in Tbilisi, Georgia, to parents Amiran Dvalishvili and Darejan Dvalishvili.

Information about his siblings is not disclosed. He earned a degree in physical education from a college in Georgia before moving to the United States at 21 to pursue a professional MMA career.

He is of Caucasian Georgian descent and practices Eastern Orthodox Christianity, often visiting Georgian churches to honor his heritage.  

Career

Merab Dvalishvili began his MMA journey in 2010, transitioning from judo and sambo, which he trained in for seven years, to mixed martial arts due to his love for fighting.

His professional debut came in 2014 at Ring of Combat 47, where he lost to Darren Mima via decision. Despite early setbacks, he amassed a 7-2 record, winning the Ring of Combat bantamweight title twice.

His breakthrough came on June 2, 2017, with a 15-second spinning backfist knockout of Raufeon Stots on Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight, earning a UFC contract.

His UFC debut against Frankie Saenz in December 2017 resulted in a controversial split decision loss, followed by a technical submission defeat to Ricky Simon in 2018, though he earned a Fight of the Night bonus.  

Dvalishvili’s resilience shone through as he embarked on a 13-fight win streak starting in September 2018 with a unanimous decision over Terrion Ware.

Notable victories include unanimous decisions over former champions José Aldo (UFC 278, August 2022), Petr Yan (March 2023), and Henry Cejudo (UFC 298, February 2024).

On September 14, 2024, he captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship with a unanimous decision over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306, becoming the first Georgian-born UFC champion.

He defended his title against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025 and retained it via a ninja choke submission against O’Malley in a rematch at UFC 316 in June 2025.

His grappling prowess earned him a silver medal at the 2019 World Sambo Championships and a gold medal at the 2024 U.S. Sambo Championships.  

Merab Dvalishvili remains a dominant force in the UFC bantamweight division, ranked #2 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings as of July 2025.

Known for his relentless takedowns and cardio, he trains under coaches Ray Longo and Matt Serra at Longo and Weidman MMA in New York, alongside friend and former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling.

His recent ESPY Fighter of the Year award in 2025 underscores his impact. A scheduled title defense against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 in December 2025 is anticipated to extend his reign.

Dvalishvili’s journey from Tbilisi to UFC stardom, marked by his donation of a 1 million Georgian Lari prize to support local grappling, reflects his dedication to his craft and heritage.  

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @merab.dvalishvili
• Facebook Handle: Merab Dvalishvili
• Twitter Handle: @MerabDvalishvil

Personal Life

Merab Dvalishvili, a devout Eastern Orthodox Christian, is single and has not publicly disclosed any romantic relationships or children, focusing intensely on his UFC career.

After moving to the United States in 2012, he worked in construction while training, nearly abandoning MMA for a “normal life” before his passion reignited.

Based in Garden City Park, New York, he maintains close ties to his Georgian roots, often wearing a traditional Papakha hat and carrying both Georgian and American flags to honor his dual citizenship, earned in 2024.

Net Worth

Merab Dvalishvili has an estimated net worth of $3 million. His wealth primarily comes from UFC fight purses.

Additional income includes sponsorships with Monster Energy and a 1 million Georgian Lari prize from the Georgian government, which he donated to support local grappling programs.