Three-weight champion publicly called out for being in $39,000 debt to UFC star Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili blasts the three-division ONE champion publicly for failing to pay the debt he owes him.

Three-weight champion publicly called out for being in $39,000 debt to UFC star Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili takes aim at Anatoly Malykhin for failing to pay the debt that he owed to him (via Imago/ONE Championship)

The drama and rivalry between Georgian Merab Dvalishvili and Russian Petr Yan is well known. Dvalishvili eventually got the better of Yan and won the fight. Merab recently alleged that Yan’s friend and three-division ONE champion, Anatoly Malykhin, owed him a huge debt. He alleged that the ONE champion failed to settle the debt numerous times. 

Merab Dvalishvili publicly called out Anatoly Malykhin over an unpaid $39,000 debt. Dvalishvili tweeted at Malykhin to “be a man” and pay the remaining $39,000 balance from a $50,000 bet made in 2021. This is  what he posted:

Wow @AnatolyMalykhin ... a three division champion! But a real man pays his debt! You made a $50,000 bet with me in 2021 and have paid $11,000. Stand up,be a man, put your money where your big mouth is. I gave you enough time and chased you long enough. Wire the $39,000 balance now!
Merab Dvalishvili via X
YouTube video

The origins of the bet go back to when Yan fought Aljamain Sterling for the second time. Malykhin had made a bet with the Georgian that Yan would win the bout. Unfortunately for him, Yan lost the fight via split decision, and he lost the bet. According to Dvalishvili, Malykhin had already paid him $11,000, and the balance was now $39,000. 

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Malykhin is a ONE Championship fighter with a 14-0 record. He holds titles at light heavyweight, heavyweight, and middleweight. Dvalishvili fights in the UFC, possessing a 17-4 record. He is ranked #1 in the bantamweight division.

Anatoly Malykhin explains the nature of his debt to Merab Dvalishvili

Anatoly Malykhin explained why he had yet to pay a disputed $39,000 debt to UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili. Malykhin claimed he had tried multiple times to wire the funds but lacked the required information from Dvalishvili.

Anatoly Malykhin explains why the debt was yet to be settled
Anatoly Malykhin explains why the debt was yet to be settled (via WMMAA/MMA Fighting)

The debt stemmed from a 2021 bet where Malykhin owed Dvalishvili $50,000. Anatoly claimed to have initially paid $11,000, leaving a balance of $39,000. Malykhin stated that he had sent Dvalishvili international wire transfer forms four times over the past three years but filled out the forms incorrectly each time. Banks required certain details to process transfers, which Dvalishvili had failed to provide accurately per Malykhin.

Screenshots shared by Malykhin showed him texting Dvalishvili to request the information again. Malykhin claimed he visited his bank a fifth time to attempt the transfer but still lacked the correct wire details. The undefeated fighter said he had no problem paying Dvalishvili. He blamed Merab for not providing details necessary for bank transfers abroad despite repeated attempts over three years.

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