While the excitement for Noche UFC The Sphere was reaching great heights, the fighting community faced a massive blow with rumors of Merab Dvalishvili contracting a Staphylococcus infection running wild. ‘The Machine’ is set to headline the event and fight for the bantamweight championship belt against Sean O’Malley. But with rumors spreading like wildfire, the fight fans have cast a shadow of doubt over the bout actually ensuing. Nonetheless, it seems now we also have a peek at the team O’Malley’s stance on the ordeal.

In episode #154 of the ‘Red Hawk Recap’, Tim Welch, O’Malley’s coach addressed the picture of Dvalishvili that has been going viral on the internet. Just a few days before the date for UFC 306, in the photograph, ‘The Machine’ can be seen wearing clothes that are stitched with Georgian colors in mind. However, the realm of combat sports had the bantamweight #1’s left arm in focus. In case you don’t know why, it was because of the presence of a blister, which looked like one that people get when they are infected by Staphylococcus.

Needless to say, O’Malley’s teammate also had a similar opinion. Weighing in on that, the ‘Red Hawk said, “Garrett sent me a photo the other day. He had it look like he had a pepperoni nipple on his arm, with a hole in it. So, that could have been a Staph.”  But when Welch’s guest for the episode, Joe Riggs, made a subtle comment on Dvalishvili, the podcast host revealed that the Georgian fighter was spotted in Tijuana, Mexico.

While Dvalishvili claimed that he was there for boxing, Welch wasn’t ready to accept and accused him of using intravenous nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. A treatment that greatly enhances the body’s rejuvenation. He continued, “Then he’s down in Tijuana, Mexico, trying to seem like he’s going down there for boxing. It’s like we know there’s a reason you go to Tijuana, and it’s to get stem cells. You’re probably getting NAD IV.”

But Dvalishvili has denied all allegations and come out clean. In an interview right after the post went viral, the bantamweight #1 confirmed that he has no problems whatsoever.

‘The Machine’ Merab Dvalishvili confirms that he is alright

In a conversation with the ‘New York Post’ on 5th September 2024, Dvalishvili revealed that he had an appointment with his doctor and interrupted the interview. It was indeed a scheduled checkup. However, he confirmed that he was not suffering from Staph infection. He was pretty pumped up to take the fight to the bantamweight champion at UFC 306.

Merab Dvalishvili clarified, “I’m sorry, my friend UFC doctor was just checking me out. They was like looking at this [his arm] like I have nothing. They thought I have a ringworm or like something but I’m good. Yeah, like I take a picture and then there are a lot people commenting like they was thinking I have a staph infection, but I’m good man. Nothing. I don’t have nothing as you see, there is no staph infection.”

‘The Machine’ further claimed that the bump might have been a mosquito bite. Nevertheless, the fight is destined to materialize and entertain the fighting community at the Sphere. With his health in check, Dvalishvili will indeed try his best to win his upcoming conquest.

What are your thoughts on Dvalishvili’s alleged Staph infection? Do you think the fight is in jeopardy? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.