"How am I gonna win in the UFC?" - Merab Dvalishvili makes astounding revelation on why he almost retired from MMA ten years ago

Merab Dvalishvili has made an astonishing revelation about why he almost retired from MMA around 10 years ago. 'The Machine' also explained how he chose to continue and made it to the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, UFC.

On the Verse Us podcast hosted by Xtreme Couture MMA coach, Eric Nicksick, Dvalishvili recently alluded to having gone 1-2 in his first three professional MMA bouts:

"First fight I lost, and then I win next one. And then CFFC [Cage Fury FC] go, 'Oh, you wanna fight in two weeks?' I said, 'Okay. Yeah. Sure.' And then, whatever, I lost this fight too. And then I'm like, 'F**k this MMA.'"

When asked if he then retired, Dvalishvili suggested that he felt he couldn't make it to the UFC and succeed there because he lost in smaller MMA organizations:

"That was the moment ... End of 2014 ... Yeah [I was done with MMA] ... I was thinking too I'm not the best because if I lost here in Ring of Combat -- I was one and two -- how am I gonna win in the UFC? And how am I going to make it to UFC?"

Additionally, Merab Dvalishvili recounted that he was booked for his next match, but had headaches, wasn't happy, and was unmotivated. He took time off from competition and thought he'd lead a normal life. Dvalishvili held a construction job and aimed to earn during the day and become a constructor someday.

Dvalishvili recalled that his nighttime plans used to be to visit restaurants and clubs, "hang out with girls," and "maybe get married." Despite doing all that, he felt he wasn't happy and was missing something. He then resumed his fighting career, thinking he would continue fighting despite losses.

Also, Dvalishvili explained he wasn't being paid by Ring of Combat at the time, so he felt he should fix his immigration papers and fight in China like his Georgian friends who were earning a thousand/two thousand "bucks." Provided they covered his flight expenses, he aimed to travel and see China and Russia.

'The Machine' alluded to his knockout victory against Raufeon Stots in mid-2017, which earned him a UFC contract. Revisiting his pre-UFC phase, which ended with UFC head honcho Dana White scouting him via the 'Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight' series, Dvalishvili said:

"I was thinking like this. Forget about UFC, Bellator, or something like that. But came back, win six straight. And then Dana White came to where I was champion."

Check out Merab Dvalishvili's comments below:

Watch the episode below (*comments at 18:30):

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A look at Merab Dvalishvili's UFC run

In his UFC debut in Dec. 2017, Merab Dvalishvili was outpointed by Frankie Saenz. 'The Machine' was later submitted by Ricky Simon. Dvalishvili then amassed an incredible 11-fight win streak.

The Georgian became an American citizen in March 2024. Dvalishvili captured the UFC bantamweight championship with a unanimous decision victory against 'Sugar' Sean O'Malley at UFC 306 (aka Riyadh Season Noche UFC) in September 2024.

Many believe that Merab Dvalishvili's next fight is likely to be his toughest stylistic clash. The Georgian-American defends his bantamweight championship against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, 2025.