UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili recently surprised fans and raised eyebrows with a risky social media video showing him face-to-face with a live tiger. Known for his rapid rise in the UFC, the Georgian fighter stunned viewers by placing his hand briefly inside the tiger’s mouth, an act that quickly sparked concern among fans and observers.
Dvalishvili secured the 135-pound championship earlier this year at the Sphere with a decision win over Sean O’Malley and has successfully defended his title twice, including a submission victory in their June rematch at UFC 316. As he prepares for an upcoming defense against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 on October 4, the bantamweight champion has maintained his reputation for engaging in extreme activities outside the cage.
Dvalishvili balances training with high-risk ventures
While gearing up for the bout against Sandhagen, Dvalishvili has avoided typical downtime by seeking out unusual and potentially dangerous experiences. His latest stunt with the tiger continues a pattern of daring behavior, reflecting his intense personality and refusal to stay idle between fights. This behavior has become a defining characteristic of ‘The Machine,’ making headline news well beyond his athletic achievements.
Despite preparing for a pivotal title defense, Dvalishvili’s choice to interact so intimately with a wild animal has caused unease among his fan base and the wider MMA community, who worry about the risks involved in such antics.
Fans voice concern and draw comparisons to past risky acts
The UFC community reacted quickly to the footage, with many pointing out Dvalishvili’s history of reckless actions that often seem to unsettle UFC President Dana White. White previously nicknamed him “mini Sean Strickland” due to the fighter’s frequent stunts, which have included self-removing stitches with scissors just weeks before a main event at UFC 306, confrontations with fans, plunging headfirst into frozen lakes, and near falls from cliff edges or building ledges.
Many viewers described the tiger encounter as yet another “side quest” in a series of dangerous exploits which some interpret as a “death wish.”
“Not like you need your hand for your job.” —Anonymous Fan
“Dana won’t be happy tomorrow morning.” —Concerned Observer
“Merab, do you have a death wish? Sometimes it feels like you do.” —MMA Enthusiast
A few fans joked about a hypothetical wrestling match between Dvalishvili and the tiger, humorously referencing Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legendary encounter with a bear.
“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.” —Fan Commentator
“That must have been terrifying for the tiger.” —Concerned Viewer
Implications for Dvalishvili’s career and UFC future
The repeated risky behavior by Merab Dvalishvili highlights a challenging dynamic for UFC leadership, as the fighter’s personality and pursuit of extreme activities add to the sport’s entertainment value but also raise safety concerns. Dana White’s frustration seems understandable given these episodes and their potential impact on Dvalishvili’s health and career longevity.
As Dvalishvili prepares to defend his bantamweight title against Cory Sandhagen, the question remains whether he will channel his energy solely into fighting or continue to seek out adrenaline-fueled adventures that worry both fans and officials. With the belt on the line at UFC 320, his focus will need to sharpen despite the distractions from his daring UFC activity off the canvas.