The reigning bantamweight champion is in full beast mode, but not without a few laughs in between. With UFC 316 just around the corner, Merab Dvalishvili is gearing up for his highly anticipated rematch with Sean O’Malley. Despite the grueling grind of fight camp, a heartwarming video is gaining popularity online, showing that Dvalishvili’s training isn’t all blood and sweat. It is also about bonding with the man who taught him how to fight.

A viral Instagram video of ‘The Machine’ training with his father, Amiran Dvalishvili, has fans buzzing. In the clip, Amiran Dvalishvili is seen joking and laughing with his son, showing him moves such as an elbow to the throat and even lifting him off his feet in a lighthearted moment that ends with both of them beaming ear to ear.

As the June 7 duel at the Prudential Center in Newark approaches, ‘The Machine’ appears to have found a “new coach” in the most unexpected place—his own home. And it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say he has a really cool cornerman after seeing the viral training session. But what about his health? Is Dvalishvili finally fit enough to fight after the recent news about his pinky toe?

While Merab Dvalishvili’s recent pinky toe injury during training raised some concerns, his team has flatly denied that it will hinder his title defense. The Georgian Machine is still going strong. Dvalishvili enters UFC 316 as a 3-to-1 favorite, riding a 12-fight win streak and backed by veterans such as Henry Cejudo. Many expect him to repeat his squashing performance at UFC 306.

Looking ahead, Dvalishvili has ambitions that go well beyond June. Win or lose, he plans to defend his bantamweight title twice more in 2025, with Guadalajara and New York as potential stops in what he hopes will be a legacy-defining run. But before that, he has unfinished business with the man known as ‘Suga.’

And if his most recent training session with Dad is any indication, ‘The Machine’ has power, heart, and, now, a little extra love on his side. And even if he loses the title, he and his father definitely earned the love of the internet, as fans couldn’t help but keep on talking about his father. So, what were their reactions?

Fans demand a Merab Dvalishvili’s father and Jake Paul fight!

After Merab Dvalishvili’s heartwarming training session with his father went viral on Instagram, fans couldn’t help but turn their attention to the man now humorously referred to as “Coach Amiran.” However, the comments were not all about feeling or love; many were humorous, making Merab Dvalishvili’s father the unexpected MVP of fight week. As the internet saw the video of Amiran throwing mock elbows and even lifting his son off the ground, UFC fans did what they do best: they turned everything into matchmaking.

The most vocal section was ready to give the older Dvalishvili a legitimate opponent in Jake Paul. It didn’t take long before the comments section was flooded with messages like “I’ve seen enough, give him Jake Paul” and “We found Jake Paul’s next opponent.” The joke, of course, refers to the persistent notion that Jake Paul only fights old guys.

Given Amiran’s age and unexpectedly quick movements, viewers saw him as a natural (and humorous) fit for Paul’s controversial resume. The attitude was repeated in other comments like “Jake Paul’s first MMA fight opponent” and “Next opponent for Jake Paul,” with users adding to the banter.

Another section of fans had a different read altogether. They were not only captivated; they were convinced. The tone changed to praise, with comments such as “Only man who can beat Merab” and “Pops is coming for that strap.” Some even joked about scheduling an actual fight, adding, “He is the only one who can take the belt off Merab. Book this fight ASAP.”

Then came the jibes at another recent Merab opponent, Umar Nurmagomedov. Fans compared Amiran’s playful lift to Umar’s in-cage performance, leaving comments like “Old man got a successful takedown than Umar” and “But he lifted it more than Umar.” It was typical fight fan taunting, especially after Merab thrashed Umar in their most recent fight.

All joking aside, the lighthearted training session between father and son provided a little respite from the intensity of UFC 316—and for many, Amiran Dvalishvili stole the show without even entering the Octagon. What do you think? Will this little sparring session help him win against Sean O’Malley? Let us know in the comments.