Merab
Dvalishvili (17-4) wants to show the world that greatness can
be achieved purely through hard work.
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Dvalishvili is riding a 10-fight winning streak, the longest in
UFC bantamweight history — a run that would have earned him a
title shot long ago if not for his reluctance to fight his friend,
former champ Aljamain
Sterling. The Georgian now gets his gold bid at long last
against Sean
O’Malley (18-1) in the main event at UFC
306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday.
“The Machine” could become the second Georgian to win a UFC title
after Georgian-Spaniard Ilia
Topuria knocked out Alexander
Volkanovski to win the featherweight title this past February.
In addition to the massive implications it would have for his
country, Dvalishvili also wants to set an example for hard workers.
Known for his relentless cardio, Dvalishvili admits that he isn’t
physically gifted and rather relies sheerly on hard work.
“It will be crazy for my country. It means a lot for a small
country for a fighter to win UFC belt. Everybody knows that I’m
just a hard worker. I’m not gifted,” Dvalishvili told UFC.com. “When I win this belt, it will show
people that you can just work hard and, of course, give a good
example to kids and hardworking people. One thing I know for sure
is I’m going to do everything to win the belt, and I want to do so
many great things with the belt.”
UFC 306, also rebranded as Noche UFC Riyadh Season, is the
promotion’s tribute to the country of Mexico and its contribution
to combat sports. Without anyone of Mexican descent featuring in
the main event at UFC 306, Dvalishvili has assumed the role of an
honorary Mexican, visiting the city of Tijuana to further embrace
the culture. Dvalishvili notes that it’s the Mexican people’s work
ethic that he feels a strong connection with along with their
camaraderie.
O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili Saturday at 10 ET on ESPN+. Order
Now!
“I love the country of Mexico, and I love Mexican people because
they are hard workers,” he said. “They support each other, and I
love it. They’re tough people, they’re warrior people, they support
each other, and they are tight together. I feel like I am one of
them. I’m a warrior, I like to support my friends, my people. We
have a connection and I’m going to represent Mexico.”
Usually known for his grappling, Dvalishvili has vowed to adapt a
Mexican style of aggression against O’Malley, who is known for his
striking precision. Dvalishvili claims “Sugar” just needs to tag
him clean to awaken the animal inside of him.
“I have a big heart. If he hits me hard, he’s going to wake me up;
he’s going to wake up the animal in me and I’m going to go even
more hard,” Dvalishvili said.