UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has unequivocally expressed his strong desire to participate in the highly anticipated UFC event at the White House.
As the UFC gears up for a landmark celebration commemorating 250 years of American independence next year, numerous prominent fighters are vying for a spot. Dvalishvili is the latest high-profile name to throw his hat into the ring.
Following former President Donald Trump`s announcement of plans to host UFC fights on the White House lawn, a constellation of stars, including Jon Jones and Conor McGregor, have lobbied to headline. Ilia Topuria, for instance, remains confident he will secure a main event slot. However, Dvalishvili isn`t aiming for the main event; his ambition is simply to be part of the historic card.
Merab Dvalishvili`s Unprecedented Sacrifice: A Prelim Spot for White House Event
The formidable Georgian fighter, `The Machine`, is gearing up for his third bout of 2025. His immediate challenge involves defending his bantamweight title against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, scheduled for October 4 in Las Vegas.
Despite the critical upcoming defense, Dvalishvili has already set his sights on a major 2026 event. He is so keen to be part of the White House card that he`s prepared to take an unconventional step: accepting a fight much earlier on the preliminary card, a departure from his usual main card status.
“I would absolutely love to fight at the White House,” Dvalishvili confirmed during a recent media scrum for UFC 320.
He added, “Even if I`m the very first fight on the prelims, I`ll be thrilled. I have no issues with that, knowing that Ilia, McGregor, and Jon Jones all want to fight there too.”
Merab Dvalishvili`s Modest Pound-for-Pound Ranking: Placing Himself Below Elite Peers
The bantamweight champion`s humility, evident in his approach to the White House event, is a consistent trait. Fans have previously lauded Dvalishvili for his down-to-earth perspective when assessing his own standing in the highly competitive pound-for-pound rankings.
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, the Georgian fighter humbly placed himself outside the top three. He ranked Ilia Topuria at number one, stating, “Right now, I will say Ilia, number one. Who does this? I mean, he’s undefeated and how he wins the last three fights and (is a) two division champion.”
He continued, “Number two, Islam. I will say number three, Pantoja.”
Reflecting on his own position, Dvalishvili concluded, “Number four is good for me. I have to be humble because I don’t want to overlook my opponents.” This thoughtful assessment underscores his respect for fellow fighters and his commitment to staying grounded.
