"Legacy loading" - Fans react as Ilia Topuria's son taps out Merab Dvalishvili in wholesome sparring session

Merab Dvalishvili appears to have spent this Christmas with Ilia Topuria's family, with 'The Machine' happily playing the cool uncle to 'El Matador's' son, Hugo. Now, a wholesome sparring session between the pair has gone viral on social media, and fans are loving it.

In a recent Instagram post, the former UFC bantamweight champion shared multiple pictures of himself with Topuria's family. However, what caught fans' attention were the adorable clips featuring Dvalishvili and Hugo.

One video shows Hugo following 'The Machine's' lead in a Georgian folk dance, and another shows the pair intensely facing off in a UFC-like staredown. However, what stole the show was their wholesome sparring session.

In the video, Hugo can be seen throwing crisp jabs and high kicks before locking up a guillotine, prompting Dvalishvili to playfully tap out and give props to the youngster.

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Suffice it to say, fight fans loved the wholesome moment and took to social media to share their thoughts.

@crypto_moondog wrote:

"Ilia Topuria legacy loading."

@deezflamz chimed in:

"His kid throws m[ore] high kicks than Ilia himself."

@Vitamviver wrote:

"Lil bro is doing well for his age."

@kauaygod commented:

"He already can defeat Paddy Pimblett."

Check out a few more responses below:

Screenshots courtesy: @HappyPunch on X

Dvalishvili lost his bantamweight title to Petr Yan at UFC 323 earlier this month. He is expected to get an immediate rematch with the Russian in 2026. Topuria, meanwhile, is on hiatus from MMA amid personal struggles and a rumored divorce. He is expected to return in the second quarter of 2026.

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When Merab Dvalishvili confessed that Ilia Topuria is "stronger" than him

Merab Dvalishvili considers Ilia Topuria a close friend and would never consider fighting him. Additionally, 'The Machine' doesn't think he could beat 'El Matador' in a fight anyway.

Speaking to Kamaru Usman on the Pound 4 Pound podcast in January, Dvalishvili came clean, confessing that the hard-hitting Georgian-born Spaniard was much stronger than he is:

"He's a nice guy. He's a family guy and a good friend of mine. And I never want to, I will never fight him. First, he's my friend. [Secondly] I've been sparring with him, and he destroys me. He's stronger than me. Let's leave it like this." [0:07 mark of the interview]

Edited by Ujwal Jain