Merab Dvalishvili is quickly becoming one of the UFC’s most talked-about figures, with fans raving about his relentless Georgian wrestling and unmatched gas tank. The bantamweight champion is gearing up for his third UFC appearance this year at UFC 320. Set to headline alongside Ankalev vs. Pereira 2, ‘The Machine’ will defend his title against No. 4 contender Cory Sandhagen in a five-round clash. He enters the Octagon riding the momentum of his dominant rematch win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 316.

At 34, Merab has already cemented himself as a powerhouse. No one in the division currently poses a serious threat. He has opted to fight as often as possible this year, prompting some fans to speculate that retirement could be on the horizon. But the Georgian warrior is far from slowing down. Speaking to Bloody Elbow last month, Merab Dvalishvili revealed his ambitious goal: “My goal is to fight until I’m 50 years old. I hope I can [still] be champion at that time, but it’s impossible. I’m 34 now.” His words underscore his deep respect and passion for MMA.

John Wood doubles down on Merab Dvalishvili’s 50-year fight plan

As UFC 320 approaches, Merab Dvalishvili’s coach at Syndicate MMA, John Wood, offered insight into his retirement plans during a recent “Home of Fight” appearance. When asked about Dvalishvili’s plan to fight until 50, Wood said: “Yes. I think he can do it. He’s— I just don’t see him stopping. I don’t see anything that would stop the man. He’s just such a different dude. I could see it actually happening.” Throughout his UFC tenure, ‘The Machine’ has shouldered high expectations.

The idea might sound crazy, but it fits Dvalishvili’s reputation. In a division where champions often burn out quickly, from Dominick Cruz’s injuries to Cody Garbrandt’s struggles—Merab has been a model of durability and relentless pace. Fans don’t just watch him fight; they watch him break spirits round by round.

For instance, he first appeared on a January PPV at UFC 311, where he fought while injured and proved himself despite the controversy surrounding Umar Nurmagomedov’s title shot connection to Khabib. Later, he built on that momentum by dominating Sean O’Malley in their UFC 316 rematch, handing O’Malley his second career loss to Merab Dvalishvili. Although fighting until 50 might seem ambitious, Dvalishvili has already outlined his plans for the coming year.

Speaking to MMA Junkie, he explained: “January is tough because, you know, in December there are lots of holidays—Christmas, New Year, and my birthday—and the gym is closed. Not many people are training at that time, so fighting then is a little hard. But February, I’ll be ready to fight again.”

Soon the Georgian  is now on the cusp of another milestone. On January 10, the UFC star will turn 35—a stage in his career where most fighters begin to slow down. While age presents new challenges, his weaknesses lie elsewhere. To get a clearer picture, let’s hear from his coach.

Coach John Wood doubles down on Dvalishvili’s only weakness

Merab Dvalishvili often draws comparisons to UFC legend Georges St-Pierre. Earlier this year, he shattered GSP’s record for most takedowns in a single fight, landing an astonishing 91 against Umar Nurmagomedov with his relentless ground-and-pound. But beyond his performance in the Octagon, ‘The Machine’ doesn’t just emulate GSP—he mirrors the former champion’s discipline in everyday life as well. St-Pierre once said, “When you make love to a woman of another nationality, do it well. Because you represent an entire country.”

In a similar vein, Merab  Dvalishvili seems to follow a personal code. At UFC Paris, he made his own rules clear: “No drugs, no alcohol,” just women—his weakness. Wherever he goes, Merab maintains this balance responsibly, a level of discipline that fans have come to respect and admire. Adding further context, his coach, John Wood, reinforced this in a candid Q&A on the Home of Fight YouTube channel.

When asked, “Merab’s biggest distraction is the ladies. True or false?” Wood replied, “That’s true. I don’t think it’s a distraction. He locks in. He’s very professional when it needs to be. I don’t think it’s a distraction at all. I just think it’s a really fun hobby, I imagine.” Clearly, Wood credits Merab Dvalishvili’s professionalism as a major factor in his success. As a result of this discipline, Dvalishvili has strung together a 13-fight win streak—tied for the fourth-longest in UFC history—defeating former champions like José Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo along the way.

Looking ahead, the big question is whether the Georgian powerhouse can maintain this momentum into his later years. If he continues to exhibit the same discipline, work ethic, and focus reminiscent of GSP, there’s every reason to believe he can. The potential is undeniable—but in MMA, longevity is always a test.