UFC 306, which celebrates Mexican Independence, doesn’t have a Mexican or fighter of Mexican descent competing in the main even. However, it might have an adopted Mexican depending on who you ask.
Georgia’s Merab Dvalishvili, who now resides in the U.S., challenges UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in the headlining act of UFC 306, also known as Noche UFC, at the Sphere in Las Vegas. With no Mexican representative to look up to in main event, Dvalishvili has become somewhat of an honorary Mexican through his wholesome efforts in embracing the culture.
In the buildup to the event, and even way before getting booked to fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend, Dvalishvili has been merging and experiencing the Mexican culture. Recently, Dvalishvili stopped by Entram Gym in Tijuana, where strawweight prospect Yazmin Jauregui got to witness Dvalishvili’s efforts first hand.
“That’s been really nice to see,” Jauregui told MMA Junkie in Spanish when asked about Dvalishvili embracing Mexico. “Just the fact that Merab, someone who’s among the world’s best and is fighting for the title, is embracing our culture so much and learning about our culture, which I consider a beautiful culture, immense culture and history. So the fact that anyone would go to another country and try to learn about it and form part of it, that’s always really nice to see and appreciated.
“I’ve seen him. I also think he’s making the most out of this boom that we’re experiencing. You see Dana White talk highly of us and our boxing and our aggressive style. I think (Dvalishvili) is connecting with that, being a fighter that’s tough and likes to march forward.”
Merab Dvalishvili stopped by Entram Gym in Tijuana ahead of #UFC306. What a guy. pic.twitter.com/ldXZ8mncHo
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) September 1, 2024
Jauregui (11-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who also competes at UFC 306 against Brazil’s Ketlen Souza, was wrapping up her training at Entram Gym last week when she ran into Dvalishvili, who was in need of a dance teacher.
“I was training, working on my strategy, and I had heard that he was here doing some work and also training a bit with us,” Jauregui said. “When I came downstairs from my training, he had either just finished giving a class or training, I don’t know, and he called everyone and asked if we could teach him how to dance.
“I personally love to dance. I love it. Since I was a little girl in elementary and middle school, I’d go to dancing classes, and I would participate in the school events. For me, el calabaceado, el folklorico, la banda norteño, I know how to dance all that.
“So when I went downstairs, everyone was like, ‘Oh, the right person for the job just arrived.’ So I was like, ‘Of course.’ Plus I get to be in Merab’s famous videos, so we were just there dancing around and teaching him. He’s a great person, super humble, and he was having a blast with la raza and taking pictures, so that was a fun moment.”
Despite liking Dvalishvili as a person, Jauregui will remain neutral when it comes to her prediction for the UFC 306 main event. She thinks on paper it’s a fight that can go either way and is excited to see it play out.
“Oh my, that’s a tough one,” Jauregui said when asked about her prediction. “This is a very complicated fight, not only for him, but both. O’Malley’s striking is incredible, and you’ve seen him look great in his fight. But then again, Merab’s wrestling is something that he dominates well. We saw how he dominated Henry Cejudo, who’s a great wrestler.
“So I’m going to stay neutral on this one. I just want the person who’s the most deserving to win the title.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.
