Georgia warmly welcomed UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, celebrating his homecoming after a victory at UFC 316, with fans enthusiastically surrounding him and showcasing his growing popularity.
Georgia’s got a thing for Merab Dvalishvili, no doubt about it.
When the reigning UFC bantamweight champ touched down on Wednesday, fans swarmed him at the airport. Just days earlier, he’d wowed everyone with a slick third-round submission against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316.
Social media lit up with videos of Dvalishvili, surrounded by adoring fans, stepping off the plane. A hero’s welcome, for sure.
He then hopped on a double-decker bus, with fans on motorcycles zooming alongside just for a glimpse. Wild scenes, really.
This frenzy highlights Dvalishvili’s rising star, as he proudly waves the Georgian flag whenever he can.
His head coach, John Wood, was right there with him. Wood shared how Dvalishvili always makes time for fans, no matter what.
“He’s just that guy,” Wood told MMA Fighting. “Merab’s the nicest, funniest, most loving dude. He’ll sign every autograph, chat with everyone. Loves it.”
“I’ve seen it so many times,” Wood continued. “It takes us hours to get anywhere because he’ll jump out and start signing. A crowd gathers, and he never turns anyone away.”
Back home in Georgia, Dvalishvili got that same warm reception. He’s celebrating not just his latest win but also his second straight title defense after beating Umar Nurmagomedov in January.
And the celebrations? They’re just getting started.