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Merab Dvalishvili has earned the respect of fans and pundits alike thanks to his intensity inside the octagon and his unwavering discipline. While his sporting career is on the rise with an title defense at UFC 311 against Umar Nurmagomedov, his personal life remains a mystery to many, especially when it comes to his relationship status.
Known as "The Machine," the Georgian fighter has preferred to keep his private life out of the media spotlight. Unlike other athletes who share intimate details on social media, Dvalishvili has chosen to show only his professional side. This has generated curiosity among fans, especially after he himself revealed that he has had difficulties in establishing stable love relationships.
A love that almost took him away from the octagon
In an interview with content creator Nina Marie-Daniele, Merab confessed: "All the girls I was dating or texting left me". This phrase reflects not only his honesty, but also some accumulated frustration in the sentimental field. He even itted that he was about to abandon his career as a fighter to seek a more conventional life. "I thought maybe I should quit... get a normal job, get married, go to restaurants, clubs, have fun. But I wasn't happy," he said in the documentary 7 Days Out.
During that time, he tried to start a formal relationship with a woman from Georgia. However, things did not work out. According to him, she was not his type and they were both at different stages in life. Although this stage represented a complicated emotional pause, it was also key for him to reaffirm his true vocation. He returned to the octagon with more determination and, shortly afterwards, his career reached the highest level.
Does Merab Dvalishvili have a partner?
So far, there is no public evidence to suggest that Dvalishvili has a girlfriend or is married. There are no romantic posts on his social media or signs of an active relationship. Everything points to his attention being focused on his training, his fights and his role as one of the leading exponents of the sport in Georgia.
Despite his apparent singleness, those around him say he values personal relationships highly. A clear example of this is his deep friendship with Aljamain Sterling. Merab decided not to compete for the bantamweight belt while his friend had it in his possession, a clear display of loyalty and principles, which is also reflected in the way he approaches relationships.
For now, his attention is focused on his next sporting challenge. On January 18, 2026, he will seek to defend his title against Umar Nurmagomedov and establish himself as one of the best bantamweights in UFC history