Merab Dvalishvili is already back in the gym following his latest championship appearance, and his newest training partner turned more than a few heads.
Earlier this month, Dvalishvili dropped the UFC bantamweight title in a closely watched rematch against Petr Yan at UFC 323. With their rivalry now tied at one win apiece, a decisive third meeting is expected sometime next year. Despite the setback, Dvalishvili wasted little time returning to work.
On Wednesday, the Georgian standout shared video footage showing him sparring for three rounds with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling was also present during the session.
A billionaire’s growing connection to MMA
Zuckerberg’s presence inside an MMA gym is no longer surprising. One of the wealthiest individuals in the world, the tech executive has developed a genuine passion for mixed martial arts over the past few years.
While no one would confuse him for an active UFC competitor, Zuckerberg held his own during the light sparring exchange. At one point, he even managed to score a takedown on Dvalishvili, though the former champion was clearly keeping the session controlled and technical.
Speculation once swirled around a potential matchup between Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, a bout that ultimately never materialized. Still, Zuckerberg has continued to immerse himself in the sport through consistent training.
Mark Zuckerberg sparred three hard rounds with Merab Dvalishvili 👀💪
(via @MerabDvalishvil) pic.twitter.com/MBj0OD560e
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 17, 2025
This was not Zuckerberg’s first encounter with top-level combat athletes. Last year, he shared the mat with Alex Pereira. He also trained alongside Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski in 2023, further cementing his credibility as a dedicated martial arts student rather than a casual participant.
Over the summer, Zuckerberg’s commitment even caught the attention of UFC leadership.
“If Mark keeps training and competing and whatever, he could literally come here and fight in UFC BJJ, 100 percent,” White said. “Tom Hardy, Mario Lopez, and many, many other actors that are really good jiu-jitsu guys that nobody knows about. That would be absolutely awesome.”
For Dvalishvili, the sparring session signals a return to routine as he prepares for the next chapter of his career. With the bantamweight title picture still unsettled, his focus remains on reclaiming gold.
As for Zuckerberg, his continued appearances alongside elite fighters suggest his involvement in MMA is more than a passing interest. Based on recent footage, he looks increasingly comfortable in the environment.
