Even machines need maintenance, and Merab Dvalishvili learned that lesson the hard way. The former UFC bantamweight champion, known to fight fans as "The Machine," believes his relentless pace finally caught up with him in his title loss to Petr Yan.

Dvalishvili attempted a historic feat last December at UFC 323: defending his title for a fourth time in a single year. Standing in his way was a familiar foe, Petr Yan, in a high-stakes rematch. While Dvalishvili dominated their first encounter, the sequel told a different story, with Yan reclaiming the belt via unanimous decision.

In the lead-up, many questioned if Dvalishvili's breakneck schedule—fighting just two months after a grueling battle with Cory Sandhagen—was sustainable. In a recent interview, the former champ confirmed those suspicions, admitting he pushed himself past the limit.

"I think so, yes," Dvalishvili stated when asked if his schedule affected his performance. "I did rush. I pushed the limit, and I think I did over-training." He revealed a critical pre-fight error, sparring five tough rounds on fight day itself. "When I go to the cage, maybe I was a little over-tired. My nickname is 'Machine,' but I'm human against Petr Yan."

Despite the admission, Dvalishvili refused to make excuses and gave full credit to his rival. He believes the version of himself that showed up that night could still beat anyone else in the stacked bantamweight division—except for a perfectly prepared Petr Yan. "That's what it shows," he said, acknowledging Yan's specific preparation and tough style.

The loss serves as a stark reminder in the high-stakes world of MMA: peak performance requires not just relentless work, but smart, strategic preparation. Even for a fighter with the engine of a machine, balance is key.