UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili engaged in a live wrestling session with investigative journalist Nick Shirley at the White House ahead of the UFC event on the South Lawn.
UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili found an unconventional sparring partner on June 13, 2026, when the Georgian grappling specialist squared off in a live wrestling session with investigative journalist Nick Shirley at the White House, ahead of the upcoming UFC event scheduled for the South Lawn.
Dvalishvili, 35, is no stranger to high-profile moments, but this one came well outside the Octagon. Ranked first in the bantamweight division and second pound-for-pound in the UFC, "The Machine" carries a professional record of 21 wins and 5 losses and trains out of the renowned Serra-Longo Fight Team. His wrestling credentials speak for themselves — he averages an extraordinary 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, one of the most dominant grappling rates in the sport. Standing five-foot-six with a 68-inch reach, Dvalishvili also presses forward relentlessly on the feet, landing 4.33 significant strikes per minute with 42 percent accuracy.
The impromptu session with Shirley took place in the lead-up to what promises to be a significant UFC event hosted on the White House South Lawn, a rare and high-profile setting for the promotion.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's willingness to engage publicly reinforces his reputation as one of the sport's most accessible and energetic personalities
- The White House event represents a landmark moment for UFC's growing mainstream and political visibility
- As the number-one ranked bantamweight and second-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, any attention on Dvalishvili raises the profile of the 135-pound division heading into the event
