Yazmin Jauregui honors Merab Dvalishvili’s love for Mexico

UFC 306, the celebration of Mexican independence, will not feature a Mexican or fighter of Mexican descent in the main event. However, depending on who you ask, there could be an adopted Mexican.

Georgian Merab Dvalishvili, now living in the United States, challenges UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306, also known as Noche UFC, at The Sphere in Las Vegas. With no Mexican representative to look up to in the main event, Dvalishvili has become something of an honorary Mexican through his efforts to embrace the culture.

Leading up to the event, and even long before he was booked to fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend, Dvalishvili has been learning and experiencing Mexican culture. Recently, Dvalishvili stopped by Entram Gym in Tijuana, where strawweight hopeful Yazmin Jauregui was able to witness Dvalishvili’s efforts firsthand.

“That was really nice to see,” Jauregui told MMA Junkie in Spanish when asked about Dvalishvili embracing Mexico. “Just the fact that Merab, one of the best in the world, fighting for the title, is embracing our culture so much and learning about our culture, which I think is a beautiful culture, an immense culture and history. The fact that someone goes to another country and tries to learn about it and become a part of it is always really nice to see and appreciated.”

“I’ve seen him. I also think he’s making the most of this boom we’re experiencing right now. You see Dana White singing our praises, our boxing and our aggressive style. I think (Dvalishvili) has that in common, because he’s a tough fighter who likes to march forward.”

Merab Dvalishvili visited the Entram Gym in Tijuana before #UFC306. What a guy. 🤣🇲🇽pic.twitter.com/ldXZ8mncHo

— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) 1 September 2024

Jauregui (11-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who also faces Brazilian Ketlen Souza at UFC 306, was finishing up her workout at Entram Gym last week when she ran into Dvalishvili, who needed a dance instructor.

“I was training, working on my strategy and heard that he was working here and training with us a little bit,” Jauregui said. “When I came down from my training, he had just finished either a class or a training, I don’t know, and he called everyone and asked if we could teach him to dance.

“Personally, I love dancing. I love it. Since I was a little girl in elementary and middle school, I went to dance classes and participated in school events. For me el calabaceado, el folklorico, la banda norteño, I know how to dance all this.

“So when I went downstairs, everyone was like, ‘Oh, the right person for the job just arrived.’ So I said, ‘Of course.’ Plus, I get to be in Merab’s famous videos, so we just danced around and taught him. He’s a great person, super humble, and he had a blast with the raid and took pictures, so that was a fun moment.”

Although she likes Dvalishvili as a person, Jauregui remains neutral in her prediction for the UFC 306 main event. She believes the fight can go either way on paper and is excited to see how it turns out.

“Oh dear, that’s a difficult question,” said Jauregui when asked about her prognosis. “It’s a very complicated fight, not only for him, but for both of them. O’Malley’s striking power is incredible and you saw that he looked great in his fight. But on the other hand, Merab has a good command of wrestling. We saw him dominate Henry Cejudo, who is a great wrestler.

“So I’m going to remain neutral on this issue. I just want the title to go to whoever deserves it most.”

For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.