Merab’s Secret Training Weapon Ahead of UFC 320: Stake’s Chicken Game

Sports and superstition go hand in hand like bread and butter, peanut butter and jelly, bed and breakfast…Numerous athletes have special rituals and activities they do during their training regimes before the big game or fight. It is a part of their psychological preparation, something they swear by, a thing to calm them and help them get their mindset right. It can be literally anything, from funny and entertaining trick shots to actual rituals and time spent praying or reciting important messages. However, during the long months of preparation or training camp, information and videos surface of athletes doing unexpected things to prepare, something completely disconnected from sport. That is exactly what Georgian MMA bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has been doing to prepare for UFC 320. 

Videos have surfaced of the champion and the co main event headliner playing a particular game on a popular online casino and sportsbook platform, Stake. Notably, Merab has a sponsorship deal with them as a sports ambassador for the service. Before every major event, he gives exclusive interviews and shares his professional insights by making predictions. Fans and bettors who like MMA have been reading these treasure troves of valuable data, and their picks have been far better for it. Reading what the champion himself has to say about the upcoming event and combining it with the latest odds is the best way to bet on UFC 320 and make a winning ticket. 

Merab Chases a Chicken like Rocky Balboa 

The famous scene from the iconic boxing movies starring Sylvester Stallone, where the titular Rocky Balboa chases a chicken, is one of the most famous examples of combat sports training. Chickens are extremely elusive when they are frightened, and an average person cannot catch them easily. Running behind it and trying to guess where it would go has its advantages in preparing for a 1v1 fight in the ring, or in this case, the octagon. It has become a staple of training where actual fighting is left behind for a bit to put emphasis on agility, stamina, lateral movement, and quick reflexes. Focusing on catching the chicken tests similar things that defending and attacking as martial arts, meaning it is a great way to practice for the real thing.

Together with Stake, Dvalishvili did this drill, which was shared on both Instagram and Twitter. “If you can catch a chicken, you can catch anything @MerabDvalishvil,” read the caption, adding, “ Don’t forget to play Chicken, only on Stake.” They finished it off with the obligatory joke and statement, “P.S. No chickens were harmed in making this video.” In the video, we can see Merab in a Stake shirt chasing a white chicken around the yard, eventually catching it. “We’re going old school today,” his partner says, before releasing the bird, and Merab starts to chase it. He fell a few times, stumbled, went left and right, but he did it in the end. However, this video doubled as an ad for the new Stake Original game, Chicken, which Merab gave a shoutout: “Don’t forget to play Chicken, out now only on Stake.”
Watch it here. 

What is the Stake Originals Chicken Game?

Doubling as an ad for the latest in the long line of Stake Originals, this promotional video by Dvalishvili, in which he trains for UFC 320, was a genius marketing move. Stake is known for its incredible way of interacting with fans and sponsoring athletes. UFC is one of their biggest and most important partners, and individual fighters like Dvalishvili and others are true brand, sports, and UFC ambassadors. So, what is the new Chicken game on Stake.com? 

Chicken is an exclusive game by Stake Originals that blends arcade‑style action with a casino “push‑your‑luck” mechanic. The player guides a chicken across a dangerous street by hopping forward tile by tile. This is inspired by the iconic Frogger arcade games of old. With each successful jump, your potential wins increase via a multiplier. But one wrong move, stepping on a broken tile, or getting hit by a car, and the round ends with a loss. You can cash out at any moment to secure the current multiplier, or keep going in hopes of reaching higher rewards.

Choose your bet and then pick one of four difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, Hard, or Extra Hard. In harder modes, the chance of the chicken meeting a premature end is higher, but the multipliers grow faster. Easy gives smaller multipliers but more safety per step. Extra Hard is much riskier but offers the potential for massive multipliers. There is an “Auto‑Mode” or “Autobet” option to preset how many jumps to attempt and limits for cashing out, so the game can play out these parameters automatically.

The graphics are clean, minimalistic, and designed not to distract. The focus is on the jumps, the growing multiplier, and the risk involved. Stake Originals tends toward clarity in their user interfaces so you can see your current status, the multiplier, anticipated next jumps, etc. Because every jump carries risk, strategy becomes important. Do you stop early and take modest wins, or push further for bigger multipliers? Choosing the right difficulty level, using cash‑out timing wisely, managing your bankroll, and using the auto‑mode with limits can mitigate losses. The RTP is 98% with a 2% house edge. The maximum multiplier is 181,060.88x. 

Merab’s Coach’s Recent Statements

Following his UFC 316 title defense against Sean O’Malley, the Stake ambassador recently stated, “I wanted to win this. I know I was winning, and I don’t risk it too much.” At the post fight press conference, he stated that he now plays more open, and then also commented on his potential next fight against Cory Sandhagen. “Top of my head, he’s the best, deserving guy in this division right now,” Dvalishvili said about his next opponent, a fight which we now know full well is happening. “He was always fighting the best of the best. He’s a company guy, a very respectful guy, a hard worker guy, super talented, super good, and I think he deserves the most. And if the UFC wants, I’m happy. I want to be busy.”

Fast forward a few months, and here we are, ready and waiting for this dream matchup to take place. As is often the case with title defenses, fans and media had a lot to ask Merab about the upcoming event. It will be his third title defense, and this time around, it will be Cody Sandhagen at the other side of the Octagon. He has not talked about it yet, but his team is fully behind him as they have witnessed his transformation and training regimen during the UFC 320 preparations. Merab’s head coach, John Wood, had a message for everyone doubting his protege’s form and excellence, stating there has been a big change in Dvalishvili during the fighter camp. 

“Merab is going to do what Merab does, and he’s gonna do it in a bigger, better fashion than he ever has,” said Wood in an interview. “Right now, that man is on a tear in the gym. I can’t even express or explain how much better he is and how much better he’s getting in this camp.” That is really scary to hear about your opponent, especially when trying to take the UFC title belt away from him after two others failed miserably. 

He continued, saying, “It’s almost jaw dropping. Everybody in the gym is buzzing about it. Everybody in the gym is going, ‘Holy s**t, where did this come from? Where did this version of this guy come from? And it really is just Merab believing in himself in a different fashion now. “He’s not just this grinder, he’s not just this guy who’s gonna take you down a thousand times. He’s now looking to hurt you. He’s now looking to finish you. He’s now looking to create just entertaining, devastating fights. And I think that you’re going to see a whole difference in this fight that is going to be just brutal and even more fun to watch.”

UFC 320 Odds and Predictions 

There will be 11 fights spread across 3 cards on October 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card has 5, with preliminary and early preliminary with 3 each. The headliner of UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 is the final fight of the night, but plenty of action awaits the fans across the categories. Here is a quick look at the odds for each matchup: 

Merab Dvalishvili FAQs 

1. Who is Merab Dvalishvili?

Merab Dvalishvili is a professional mixed martial artist from Georgia (the Eastern European country, not the U.S. state). He competes in the UFC’s bantamweight division (135 lbs) and is known for his relentless wrestling, cardio, and pressure.

2. What is Merab Dvalishvili’s nickname?

Merab is nicknamed “The Machine,” a name earned due to his non stop motor, takedown heavy style, and ability to maintain a relentless pace from the first to the final bell.

3. What is his UFC takedown record?

As of now, Merab holds the record for the most takedowns in a UFC bantamweight fight (16) and is among the top all time for total takedowns landed in the division. His wrestling is his signature weapon.

4. Is Merab Dvalishvili friends with Aljamain Sterling?

Merab and former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling are very close, both personally and professionally. They train together at Serra Longo Fight Team in New York and have refused to fight each other despite both being top contenders.

5. What is Merab Dvalishvili’s background in martial arts?

Merab began with traditional Georgian wrestling and judo, and later transitioned to sambo and then MMA. He moved to the U.S. to pursue his dream of becoming a top MMA fighter.

6. Has Merab Dvalishvili ever fought for a UFC title?

Merab currently holds the UFC Bantamweight Championship belt, which he captured on September 14, 2024, with a unanimous decision victory over Sean O’Malley. He has defended it twice, against Umar Nurmagomedov and in a rematch with O’Malley. UFC 320 will be his third title defense attempt. 

7. What languages does Merab Dvalishvili speak?

Merab speaks Georgian as his native language, but he also speaks English fluently and has charmed fans with his enthusiastic and often humorous interviews.

8. What makes Merab’s fighting style unique?

His style is built on non stop pressure, chain wrestling, and cardio. He often attempts over 20 takedowns per fight, which wears down opponents mentally and physically, even if he does not land them all.

9. What is one of Merab’s most memorable UFC moments?

One unforgettable moment was when he continued fighting and defending himself despite being knocked out momentarily (vs. Ricky Simón in 2018). He kept moving his legs in a grappling motion while unconscious, which showcased his “Machine” instincts.

10. Does Merab Dvalishvili have any hidden talents or hobbies?

Merab is proud of his Georgian heritage and often showcases traditional Georgian dancing and outdoor adventures on social media. He is also known for his fun, positive energy, whether he is in the gym or hiking in the mountains.