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Merab Dvalishvili had a recent sitdown with Jake Shields on an episode of Shield's podcast, Fight Back. During their conversation, 'The Machine' touched on numerous topics, including the UFC's pay structure, which allegedly forced him to maintain a day job until 2020, despite being a high-level bantamweight.
As Dvalishvili claims, he had no money left after all of the expenses he had to cover, including managerial fees. While certain bonuses kept him afloat, he had no choice but to maintain a second job to make ends meet.
When asked by Shields which year he stopped working full-time, Dvalishvili said:
"2020, when COVID hit. Yeah, I was in UFC. So, I lost my first fight in UFC and we know how UFC pay, $10,000, and you still have to pay manager, some expenses, and I buy car, I was driving a very old car and then no money."
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Unfortunately for the Georgian phenom, his decision to put his other job on hold following fight-related bonuses came back to bite him. Ultimately, he was forced to continue working.
"Second fight, I got bonus, and I stopped working. But when my next fight comes I was broke again because I spent all this money and I'm like, now what? When I win the next one, I keep the money and start working because I don't want this to happen again."
Check out Merab Dvalishvili's interview below (3:12):
However, Dvalishvili stayed the course and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor, having recently dethroned Sean O'Malley as bantamweight champion at Noche UFC 306. It marked his 11th consecutive win in the promotion, with O'Malley being the fourth UFC champion he's beaten.
Merab Dvalishvili previously served as a construction worker
Before committing to a full-time career as an MMA fighter, Merab Dvalishvili worked in construction, which is something he has in common with all-time great mixed martial artist and former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
While he has since built a better life for himself, he is one of many rags-to-riches stories in the promotion. Beloved UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira previously worked in a tire shop.
