Growing up in his native Georgia, MMA fighter Merab Dvalishvili would watch Chelsea and imagine what it would be like to visit Stamford Bridge. This week, he finally had the opportunity.
Widely recognised as one of the greatest UFC bantamweights in history – and its first Georgian-born champion – Dvalishvili is visiting the capital for the first time. The 35-year-old plans to explore the city in the coming days, but his first port of call was the home of the world champions.
'It’s my first time here and I love it,' Dvalishvili explains as he looks out across the Stamford Bridge pitch. 'I used to watch the matches at this stadium on TV when I was a kid – it looked unreal but now it's real for me.
'I remember watching [Didier] Drogba, I used to love him and all my friends used to love him. He was such a cool player and Chelsea was one of the top teams that I used to watch a lot in the Champions League.
'Every time I watched Drogba, he was very technical and he was great to watch.'
Dvalishvili began his MMA career in 2014 and won 21 of his 26 bouts. His high pace and relentless style earned him the nickname The Machine, and hecurrently tops the UFC bantamweight rankings.
'They gave me this nickname because I never stop,' he says with a smile. 'I always work hard, I am always pushing, pressuring. That is why I was given this name; I think I fight like a machine.'
Dvalishvili became a naturalised American citizen in 2024, but is proud of his roots and those who have represented Georgia on the sporting stage.
Just one Georgian player has represented Chelsea across our 121-year history: Rati Aleksidze. He made three appearances for the Blues during the 2000/01 season before going on to represent clubs in Hungary, Russia and in his home country, for whom he was capped 29 times.
'I know of him,' says Dvalishvili. 'Not from when he played for Chelsea, but he was from Georgia and was a good attacking player.
'Whenever I see a Georgian player playing for a big team, like Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain, it makes me proud.'
UFC Fight Night 270 in London takes place at the O2 Arena tomorrow evening and while Dvalishvili is not on the bill, he is expected to attend. He will then have the opportunity to explore London further.
'I am very shocked because everything here in London is so beautiful,' he says. 'I have been to many countries and cities, but London is one of the best cities I’ve ever been to.'