UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili engaged in a wrestling session with investigative journalist Nick Shirley at the White House ahead of UFC's event on the South Lawn.
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili found himself on unusual ground on June 13, 2026, when he squared off in a wrestling session with investigative journalist Nick Shirley at the White House, ahead of the UFC's scheduled event on the South Lawn.
Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," enters the moment as one of the sport's most decorated grapplers. The 35-year-old Georgian holds a professional record of 21 wins and 5 losses and currently sits at number one in the bantamweight division while ranking second pound-for-pound in the UFC. Standing five-foot-six with a 68-inch reach, he trains out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team and fights out of an orthodox stance. His numbers tell the story of a relentless wrestler: he averages 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that places him among the most dominant grapplers in the sport. He also contributes on the feet, averaging 4.33 significant strikes landed per minute at 42 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's impromptu grappling display puts his elite wrestling credentials on public display at one of the most high-profile venues in the world.
- The White House event marks a significant moment of mainstream visibility for the UFC and its athletes.
- As the number-one ranked bantamweight, Dvalishvili's every public appearance carries weight for the division's ongoing title picture.
The session with Shirley was a lighthearted showcase set against the backdrop of the UFC's historic South Lawn event, underlining just how far the sport's reach has extended into mainstream American culture.
