Merab Dvalishvili Highlights the Reality of Being a UFC Superstar After Dominating 5 Straight Rounds of Wrestling with RAF Star

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili chips in on the struggles faced by rising contenders due to increasing UFC competition.

Merab Dvalishvili Highlights the Reality of Being a UFC Superstar After Dominating 5 Straight Rounds of Wrestling with RAF Star

Merab Dvalishvili and Georgio Poullas (via X)

Merab Dvalishvili endured major hardships growing up in Georgia before eventually reaching the UFC. Even reaching the promotion proved difficult, requiring years of chasing opportunities through setbacks. Today, the Georgian star is recognized as one of the most dominant fighters in the bantamweight division. He recently discussed the struggles rising UFC contenders face with RAF star Georgio Poullas.

Poullas is an American freestyle wrestler and RAF middleweight competitor who built popularity through viral wrestling challenge videos online. The Ohio native compiled a 176-15 high school wrestling record and later competed collegiately for Cleveland State and Rider University. Poullas currently holds a 1-2 RAF freestyle record, including two losses against UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan.

Despite losses to Tsarukyan, Poullas’ popularity has continued to grow rapidly through streaming content on Kick and collaborations with professional fighters across combat sports platforms. Dvalishvili recently appeared on Poullas’ livestream, dominating five straight wrestling rounds. The Georgian contender also offered advice on how to pursue future opportunities in the UFC through experience and development.

There are guys in the UFC right now worse than you. Win 3 to 5 pro fights, do the Contender Series, and out-wrestle someone. Getting in isn’t the hard part, staying is.

Merab Dvalishvili via Kick

The former champion’s comments stem from personal experience, as he endured several setbacks during his difficult rise toward UFC championship status. Coach John Wood has revealed that the UFC initially resisted giving Dvalishvili a championship opportunity despite his dominant winning streak. Only after esteemed coach Ray Longo strongly pushed for Dvalishvili did the UFC seriously consider him.

Poullas’ profile increased significantly following his RAF appearances against Tsarukyan earlier this year. The 28-year-old gained attention through heated trash talk before their first matchup at RAF 06 ended in a post-fight brawl between both camps after repeated illegal strikes. Their RAF 07 rematch also ended disappointingly for Poullas, as Tsarukyan secured another dominant 9-3 decision.

‘The Machine’ is currently recovering following his UFC 323 title loss against Petr Yan while also dealing with a broken nose injury. Poullas, meanwhile, does not currently have another matchup confirmed, as uncertainty continues over his future following recent RAF setbacks. Merab Dvalishvili’s recent advice could ultimately influence Poullas’ long-term plans if he pursues professional MMA competition seriously.

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Merab Dvalishvili reveals why he does not want to take on former rival under the RAF banner

Merab Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov in a co-main event at UFC 311. Nurmagomedov performed well early, defending takedowns and landing cleaner strikes before Dvalishvili’s pressure and wrestling shifted momentum later. Dvalishvili ultimately secured a unanimous decision victory after controlling the championship rounds with his superior cardio and pressure.

Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov
Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov (via MMA Mania)

However, Dvalishvili has consistently maintained that his relationship with Nurmagomedov remains tense following their rivalry. The Georgian star revealed that the feud became personal after Nurmagomedov’s cousin allegedly pushed him into trash-talking before UFC 311. When recently asked about facing the Dagestan native again under the RAF banner, Dvalishvili immediately rejected the possibility.

UFC has a rule that UFC fighters can’t compete against each other. That’s what Danny Ruby told me. But anyway, I don’t like this guy because he disrespected me a couple of times on Twitter. He says he never did, but it’s his responsibility for whoever writes off his name on Twitter. Wrestling is just for fun, and for fun, I will never do a fun matchup against this guy because it’s not fun for me. It’s real.

Merab Dvalishvili via Adam Zubayraev

Dvalishvili’s comments also reflected RAF owner Chad Bronstein previously revealing that active UFC fighters cannot compete against each other because of contractual obligations. Dvalishvili was originally scheduled to compete at RAF 08 before opponent Henry Cejudo withdrew from the event. The former champion is now set to face UFC legend Frankie Edgar at RAF 09 in his promotional debut.

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