- Merab Dvalishvili worked day jobs while fighting at UFC to fund his everyday expenses
- “The Machine” went on a remarkable winning streak en route to bantamweight championship after losing his first two fights under the promotion
Merab Dvalishvili reflected on how difficult it was to have to keep working blue collar jobs during his early days in the UFC.
A laborer and a fighter
Speaking to Jake Shields on Fight Back, “The Machine” opened up about being forced to work despite already fighting under the UFC banner as his fighter pay wasn’t enough to make ends meet.
“First, I was a demolition man. Then, of course, I am a handy man and I little by little, became a carpenter. Basically, I was doing everything, not plumbing but framing, windows, doors, roofing, floor, concrete, whatever you want,” Dvalishvili said.
“So, I lost my first fight in UFC, and we know how UFC pay, it’s not well in the beginning. $10,000 and you still have to pay your manager and some expenses. I buy a car. I was driving very old car, and then no money. In my second fight, I got bonus, even [if] I had a controversial loss but I got the bonus but I take [some time] off and stopped working. But when my next fight comes, I was broke again because I spent all this money. And I’m like, ‘Now what?’ When I win the next one, I keep this money and I stay working, because I don’t want this to happen again,” he continued.
Hard work pays off
After losing his first two fights in the UFC, Dvalishvili pulled off one of the greatest winning streaks in UFC history and the best in the bantamweight division. He won his next 10 fights, ultimately earning a title shot at UFC 306. As many have witnessed, “The Machine” dominated Sean O’Malley to become the new UFC bantamweight champion.
As it stands, O’Malley preferred to take a lengthy break instead of pushing for a rematch. That said, it is yet to be determined who would Dvalishvhili face for his first title defense.
Watch Dvalishvili’s full interview below:
