Dana White’s blood pressure might have shot up when he saw UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili’s recent social media video.
Dvalishvili has been on a fast rise toward greatness in the UFC since capturing the 135-pound title with a decision victory over Sean O’Malley at the Sphere in 2024.
The Georgian has already successfully defended the belt twice to close the gap on numerous championship records in the bantamweight division. Dvalishvili most recently submitted O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316 this past June.
‘The Machine’ is not one to enjoy significant downtime between his fights and has become renowned for instead participating in unique experiences away from the cage, a trend that has certainly continued this week.
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UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili goes face to face with a tiger
A couple of months on from his latest triumph, the bantamweight king already has a new face in his sights. Dvalishvili will defend his title against Cory Sandhagen in the co-main event of UFC 320 on October 4.
While he will soon need to lock in for that challenge, ‘The Machine’ has been making the most of his time in-between fights, most recently with yet another daring activity.
The Georgian star posted a video on social media that shows him interacting with a tiger. In true Dvalishvili fashion, the UFC fighter went face to face with the animal on the ground and even briefly placed his hand in its mouth.
Fans react to Merab Dvalishvili’s latest ‘side quest’
MMA fans soon reacted to Dvalishvili’s latest eyebrow-raising activity away from the Octagon, and many commented on the bantamweight king’s habit of scaring UFC CEO Dana White.
White has called the Georgian “mini Sean Strickland” in the past owing to some of his antics, which have included Dvalishvili self-removing stitches with scissors weeks out from his UFC 306 main event, fighting fans, jumping head first into an frozen lake, a cliff-edge dance that almost saw Dvalishvili fall, and some dangerous walking on a building ledge.
Following Dvalishvili’s most recent “side quest,” some fans think the UFC star has a “death wish.”
“Side quest demon.”
“Safest Merab activity.”
“Gimmick getting out of hand.”
“Not like you need your hand for your job.”
“Bro, you’re truly wild.”
“Dana won’t be happy tomorrow morning.”
“Insurance companies hate this man.”
“Merab, please stop this.”
“Dana is livid.”
“Merab, do you have a death wish? Sometimes it feels like you do.”
Others jokingly pondered a wrestling match between Dvalishvili and the tiger, à la Khabib Nurmagomedov versus a bear.
“Wrestle the tiger.”
“Tiger doesn’t stand a chance. The ‘Machine’s’ cardio and pressure would be too much for him — the tiger clearly knew that and didn’t want that smoke.”
“That must have been terrifying for the tiger.”