Most champions slow down after a grueling year. They take a breather, enjoy their moment in the spotlight, and prepare for the next big payday. But Merab Dvalishvili is not wired that way. Just weeks after defending his bantamweight title at UFC 320, ‘The Machine’ is already preparing for another fight, this time against former champion Petr Yan at UFC 323. It’s his fourth title defense in 2025, a pace that sounds almost unreal in modern MMA.

The Georgian’s work ethic has made him one of the most renowned and relentless UFC champions in history. Since defeating Sean O’Malley in 2024, Dvalishvili has fought and won three times this year, all against top-tier opponents. His high-pressure style, relentless wrestling, and unstoppable drive have propelled him to an exceptional level of domination that fans rarely see sustained over such a short period of time.

“I do very good when I am busy” – Merab Dvalishvili wants to stay active for balance, not just glory

Many assumed his goal for the speedy turnaround was to break the UFC’s single-year title defense record, but Merab Dvalishvili confirmed that wasn’t the case. “To be honest, not because of that,” he told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “More, I just want to be busy. I love fighting, and I do very, very good when I am busy, you know, because when I don’t have a fight, there are a lot of distractions.”

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‘The Machine’ went on to describe how his discipline thrives under pressure. When camp starts, he shuts off everything else: no late nights, no indulgences, and no extra travel. “If friends invite me somewhere, I will go. But if I have a fight, maybe I still go, but I will say I have a fight. I don’t eat like crazy, I don’t drink,” he said. That approach explains why Dvalishvili continues to stand out.

While other champions balance fame and business, the Georgian focuses on one thing: momentum. “When I have fights, I’m going to say no to travel, even if it’s for a sponsor or anything,” he added. “I’m going to say no.” It’s that obsessive dedication that has kept him sharp through one of the most active title reigns in modern UFC history. For Dvalishvili, defending his belt against Petr Yan isn’t about records or recognition; it’s all about rhythm.

Being active keeps him grounded, motivated, and hungry. In an era when champions fight only once or twice a year, he is redefining what consistency and drive look like.

If he defeats Yan, three things happen. First, he sets the record for the most number of title defenses by an active champion in a year, i.e., 4 defenses. Second, he’ll break the record for the most title defenses at bantamweight at 4 defenses, beating Dominick Cruz and Aljamain Sterling, who both clocked in three each. Lastly, he’ll have been on a 15-fight winning streak, just one win shy of tying Anderson Silva for the longest active win streak. If he goes beyond, we’re not just talking about him being the best bantamweight ever; we’re seriously considering him entering the GOAT conversation.

Dvalishvili is a record-breaking ‘Machine’ at this point

Momentum is something Dvalishvili not only preaches about but also lives by. His third title defense of the year, against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, showed that he is functioning on a different level. Sandhagen had some success in the first round, but after that, it was all Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure, constant movement, and trademark wrestling, which depleted the challenger with each exchange.

It wasn’t just a win; it was another example of why the bantamweight champion is one of the hardest workers in the sport. That night, ‘The Machine’ shattered two major UFC records. He became the first fighter in history to achieve 100 total takedowns and set a new record for the most takedowns in a title bout (20).

“It was some moments during the fight; I just kept taking [him] down because I’m like, ‘Oh, this is another for my takedown records,'” he said afterward. What began as his usual game plan evolved into a historic performance that perfectly suited his nickname, ‘The Machine.’

Merab Dvalishvili, who plans to fight again before the end of the year, isn’t just chasing records; he’s setting a new benchmark for what it means to be an active, dominant champion. So, what do you think? Will he be able to break Anderson Silva’s record as well? Let us know in the comments.