In the UFC, winning fights is only half the battle—the other half is selling them. Personalities move tickets as much as punches, and history proves it. Conor McGregor turned showmanship into superstardom, blending sharp skills with sharper words, forcing the sport into mainstream culture.

Now, a new generation is trying to walk that same line. Fighters like Jean Silva and Merab Dvalishvili aren’t just chasing wins; they’re crafting moments—sometimes playful, sometimes polarizing—that keep fans glued to every move. But when it comes to antics inside the cage, one man’s flair is another man’s flaw, and that contrast has UFC royalty weighing in.

George St-Pierre’s Coach Reveals What Sets Merab Dvalishvili Apart from Jean Silva

UFC legend George St-Pierre’s coach, Firas Zahabi, recently weighed in during a YouTube Q&A. “I like what Lopez did. He’s like, ‘Okay, I’m shaking your hand once. Don’t ask me to shake your hand twenty times.’ You’ve seen in his past fight, Silva will do a combination, then want to shake your hand. You hit him—okay, let’s shake hands.” He added that seeing these antics repeatedly is “quite Annoying.”

Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili, on the other hand, earns Zahabi’s approval. “Merab does that too, but it’s kind of funny the way Merab does it. Silva, though, it eats up time, and I don’t find it entertaining. I think Merab picks the right moments, and it’s part of his personality.” Indeed, Zahabi isn’t exaggerating. ‘The Machine’ has repeatedly made fans laugh mid-fight, from his infamous back kiss on Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 to his playful jab at Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311—right in front of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Merab Dvalishvili’s antics never fail to make headlines. Remember the back-kiss that stunned the referee, O’Malley, and the crowd? He later called it a playful show of control, not disrespect. Then there was UFC 311, where his cheeky “Dagestan or Russia?” jab left the ‘Young Eagle’ scrambling for an answer. Now, all eyes are on UFC 320, where Merab will put his title on the line against Cory Sandhagen. Fans are on the edge of their seats, eager to see which mix of mischief, mind games, and precise striking he’ll unleash this time inside the Octagon.

UFC 320 alert: Merab Dvalishvili’s coach issues tough warning to competitors

For Merab Dvalishvili, time seems to move backward, much like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He started his career with losses, but over the years, the Georgian bantamweight has flipped the script. Now 34, he dominates the division with precision and relentlessness, dismantling elite opponents like Henry Cejudo, Sean O’Malley, Petr Yan, and Umar Nurmagomedov. Riding a 13-fight win streak, ‘The Machine’ is set to defend his title for the third time this year at UFC 320 on October 4—less than 15 days away.

His coach, John Wood, isn’t mincing words, sending a clear warning to the division: Merab Dvalishvili is only getting better. The reigning champion has earned every ounce of his title. With two successful defenses already, his next bout against Cory Sandhagen promises a brutal clash. Beyond endurance and cardio that have left fans and pundits in awe, Dvalishvili is evolving, sharpening every aspect of his game. He’s no longer just a grinder—he’s a finisher, a threat in every exchange, a fighter who can entertain while devastating opponents.

Wood recently revealed just how much Merab Dvalishvili is leveling up. “That man is on a tear in the gym,” Wood told Home of Fight. “I can’t even express or explain how much better he is and how much better he’s getting in this camp. It really is just Merab believing in himself in a different fashion now….He’s now looking to hurt you, he’s now looking to finish you. He’s now looking to create just entertaining, devastating fights. I think that you’re going to see a whole different Merab in this fight that is going to be just brutal and even funner to watch.”

The Georgian standout’s transformation has sparked questions about his longevity at the top of the bantamweight division. Can Merab Dvalishvili maintain this peak form, and how long can he continue to dominate opponents, especially with a clear blueprint for fighting until @50?