UFC 306, which celebrates Mexican Independence, doesn’t have a Mexican or fighter of Mexican descent competing in the primary even. Nonetheless, it might need an adopted Mexican relying on who you ask.
Georgia’s Merab Dvalishvili, who now resides within the U.S., challenges UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley within the headlining act of UFC 306, also called Noche UFC, on the Sphere in Las Vegas. With no Mexican consultant to look as much as in fundamental occasion, Dvalishvili has turn out to be considerably of an honorary Mexican via his healthful efforts in embracing the tradition.
Within the buildup to the occasion, and even approach earlier than getting booked to battle on Mexican Independence Day weekend, Dvalishvili has been merging and experiencing the Mexican tradition. Not too long ago, Dvalishvili stopped by Entram Fitness center in Tijuana, the place strawweight prospect Yazmin Jauregui bought to witness Dvalishvili’s efforts first hand.
“That’s been very nice to see,” Jauregui instructed MMA Junkie in Spanish when requested about Dvalishvili embracing Mexico. “Simply the truth that Merab, somebody who’s among the many world’s greatest and is combating for the title, is embracing our tradition a lot and studying about our tradition, which I contemplate an attractive tradition, immense tradition and historical past. So the truth that anybody would go to a different nation and attempt to find out about it and kind a part of it, that’s at all times very nice to see and appreciated.
“I’ve seen him. I additionally assume he’s making probably the most out of this growth that we’re experiencing. You see Dana White speak extremely of us and our boxing and our aggressive type. I feel (Dvalishvili) is connecting with that, being a fighter that’s powerful and likes to march ahead.”
Merab Dvalishvili stopped by Entram Fitness center in Tijuana forward of #UFC306. What a man. 🤣🇲🇽pic.twitter.com/ldXZ8mncHo
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) September 1, 2024
Jauregui (11-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who additionally competes at UFC 306 in opposition to Brazil’s Ketlen Souza, was wrapping up her coaching at Entram Fitness center final week when she bumped into Dvalishvili, who was in want of a dance instructor.
“I used to be coaching, engaged on my technique, and I had heard that he was right here performing some work and likewise coaching a bit with us,” Jauregui stated. “After I got here downstairs from my coaching, he had both simply completed giving a category or coaching, I don’t know, and he referred to as everybody and requested if we might train him the right way to dance.
“I personally love to bop. I adore it. Since I used to be a bit of woman in elementary and center college, I’d go to dancing courses, and I might take part within the college occasions. For me, el calabaceado, el folklorico, la banda norteño, I understand how to bop all that.
“So once I went downstairs, everybody was like, ‘Oh, the correct individual for the job simply arrived.’ So I used to be like, ‘After all.’ Plus I get to be in Merab’s well-known movies, so we had been simply there dancing round and instructing him. He’s an amazing individual, tremendous humble, and he was having a blast with la raza and taking photos, in order that was a enjoyable second.”
Regardless of liking Dvalishvili as an individual, Jauregui will stay impartial in relation to her prediction for the UFC 306 fundamental occasion. She thinks on paper it’s a battle that may go both approach and is happy to see it play out.
“Oh my, that’s a troublesome one,” Jauregui stated when requested about her prediction. “It is a very difficult battle, not just for him, however each. O’Malley’s hanging is unbelievable, and also you’ve seen him look nice in his battle. However then once more, Merab’s wrestling is one thing that he dominates nicely. We noticed how he dominated Henry Cejudo, who’s an amazing wrestler.
“So I’m going to remain impartial on this one. I simply need the one that’s probably the most deserving to win the title.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 306.
Take a look at the Hablemos MMA YouTube channel for Spanish-language movies and interviews with MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura.
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