“Hey Merab, this is the hall you could have been in if you weren’t such a coward and a b—h. This is the kitchen where you could cook yourself breakfast if you weren’t such a b—h…” These words, spoken in a viral social media video, were aimed at UFC bantamweight kingpin Merab Dvalishvili, taking a verbal jab at him for pulling out of a Russian reality show. Initially, organizers set ‘The Machine’ to participate in Hype, a TUF-style competition where he would coach a team against his UFC rival, Petr Yan.

However, the situation quickly spiraled into controversy when social media erupted in backlash over his involvement in a Russian project. The outrage stemmed from the ongoing political tensions between Georgia and Russia. Many Georgians believe Russia has interfered in their elections through espionage, further destabilizing the country. Protests erupted on the streets, and amid the growing chaos, Merab Dvalishvili—once a national hero—found himself cast as a traitor. His decision to participate in a Russian-backed show triggered an online crusade against him, ultimately forcing him to withdraw.

However, Russian MMA promoter Kamil Gadzhiev on X recently provided a different explanation for ‘The Machine’s exit. In a social media video, he revealed that politics wasn’t the key factor—sponsorship conflicts were. Hype’s primary sponsors were direct competitors of Merab Dvalishvili’s personal sponsors, particularly in industries like bookmakers and sports drinks. “Merab’s sponsors voiced concerns about his face being used by their competitors while they were paying him. I know from insiders that this was the reason Merab pulled out of the Hype reality show after the official announcement,” Gadzhiev stated.

Despite Dvalishvili’s withdrawal, the show pressed on, with his spot filled by none other than his close friend and former UFC champion, Aljamain Sterling. However, the real buzz came from an unexpected backstage moment between Sterling and his longtime rival, Petr Yan. At one point, the Russian prospect playfully handed Sterling a fake Oscar—a clear jab at their infamous title fight. Yan had lost his bantamweight championship to Sterling via disqualification after landing an illegal knee on a downed opponent.

While the event managed to move forward without Merab Dvalishvili, his withdrawal once again highlighted how geopolitical tensions can seep into the world of MMA. And this time, the animosity was directed towards a certain Russian republic that prides itself with its wrestler and MMA prospects.

Ilia Topuria shuts down ‘Team Khabib’ and Dagestani dominance over MMA after Merab Dvalishvili’s win

“You can say whatever you want, but if we’re talking about facts… We dominate amateur MMA, and it’s not even close—not just compared to Irish fighters but the whole world,” declared Khabib Nurmagomedov last month, sparking a heated debate in the MMA community. His assertion about Dagestan’s superiority in both amateur and professional MMA coincided with his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov’s participation in the PFL-Bellator event. The statement quickly drew criticism from notable figures, including Conor McGregor and Tony Ferguson.

However, Georgian standout Merab Dvalishvili, known for his “less talk, more action” mentality, didn’t engage in verbal back-and-forth. Instead, he let his performance do the talking. At UFC 311, Dvalishvili took on Khabib’s cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov, an undefeated bantamweight contender with an 18-0 record. In a grueling contest, the Georgian fighter dragged Umar into deep waters and handed him the first loss of his career.

For Georgia, this victory was more than just another win—it was a symbolic triumph over Dagestan’s revered wrestling legacy. Echoing that sentiment was UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, another Georgian fighter who has long set his sights on Dagestan. “Merab (Dvalishvili), my brother, what a fighter you are! You make us feel so proud,” Topuria wrote on social media. “This is what happens when Dagestani wrestling meets Georgian wrestling.”