Georgian PM announces highest state award nomination for Merab Dvalishvili after UFC victory

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Monday the nomination of mixed martial arts fighter Merab Dvalishvili,33, for the nation’s highest state award after his recent UFC bantamweight title victory.

Dvalishvili defeated Sean O’Malley on Sunday, marking a major milestone in his career.

Kobakhidze highlighted the challenges Dvalishvili overcame to achieve success, acknowledging the fighter’s” hard-fought journey”.

Kobakhidze also revealed that he and Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili had agreed on the decision to nominate Dvalishvili for the prestigious state honor, continuing a tradition of “recognizing outstanding athletic achievements”.