Merab Dvalishvili credits a part of his memorable UFC 298 victory against Henry Cejudo – to the presence of Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg!

During the post-fight press conference, Dvalishvili couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about Zuckerberg’s attendance:

Mark Zuckerberg, we became friends on social media.
He’s been supporting me and we send positive messages to each other.

He did text me a couple of days ago that he would be at the fights, but he told me don’t tell no one.
I keep a secret, of course. I know he was there and as soon as I go there I saw him and I say: “Hi”, and: “Good to see you in person.”

And no, Zuckerberg wasn’t there just as a spectator:

During the rounds, he was telling me times: “30 seconds left”, he was coaching me.
He was my fourth corner tonight.

So it’s just conversation and then when I got [Cejudo] in the choke, the choke was tight, but I got too excited.
I was looking at Mark Zuckerberg and I had too much fun.

Maybe I should focus to finish.
You know, I’m just a fighter, I’m free, that’s what you do, that was a fun, good, positive conversation.

Dvalishvili appreciated Zuckerberg’s tips during the match:

You know, over there when I was fighting, it’s like good music.
Like when you’re really running and you hear good music.

I don’t remember exactly now when I look, but at the time it was nice, he was coaching me.