Merab Dvalishvil’s championship triumph rang across the continents.
“The Machine” dominated Sean O’Malley in Saturday’s UFC 306 main event at Sphere in Las Vegas to earn a unanimous decision win and become the new UFC bantamweight champion. Back in his native Georgia, thousands of Dvalishvili fans gathered in a Tbilisi square to watch their countryman go to battle.
He didn’t disappoint, thrilling the gathered masses and delivering the European country its second UFC titleholder, alongside current featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Watch footage of the festivities below, courtesy of Setanta Sports.
An unforgettable day for Georgia, Georgian sport and Georgian people ❤
— Giorgi Kokiashvili (@iHeartGeorgius1) September 15, 2024
7-8AM, thousands of people in the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, paralyzed capital city, and #AndNew UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili!
What a time to be alive as a Georgian!
Setanta… pic.twitter.com/yiL6SLBewR
This is how Georgian fans celebrated Merab Dvalishvili's Championship victory over Sean O'Malley in the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia
— Giorgi Kokiashvili (@iHeartGeorgius1) September 15, 2024
7AM, more than 10'000 people, paralyzed streets, total joy and unforgettable emotions! ❤
Setanta Sports#UFC306 | #NocheUFC |… pic.twitter.com/fVk5fnERf4
According to Setanta Sports’ Giorgi Kokiashvili, there were over 10,000 people gathered to watch Dvalishvili achieve his championship dream. Dvalishvili made his UFC debut in 2017 and after a pair of losses, he hasn’t looked back since. The new bantamweight king made it 11 straight wins with his victory over O’Malley, adding “Suga” to a hit list that includes former UFC champions Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, and Jose Aldo.
Up next for Dvalishvili is presumably undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov. Whenever that fight is booked, expect Dvalishvili’s supporters to once again show up en masse.
