In Photos: Merab Dvalishvili looks focused three weeks out from Sean O'Malley clash amid controversial training injury

Merab Dvalishvili will not let anything stop him from his first world title fight at UFC 306. Even with the criticism he has recently received from UFC CEO Dana Whtie, Dvalishvili continues to put in hours at the gym as his headlining bout with bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley approaches.

Just days after posting a video of a small cut he picked up over his left eye, Dvalishvili released an encouraging series of photos from his recent training session on Instagram. From his photos, Georgian appears to already be back to full sparring despite the concern about the cut on his head.

Merab Dvalishvili posts himself back in training. [via @merab.dvalishvili on Instagram]

Merab Dvalishvili (left) releases photos from his latest sparring sessions (right). [Images courtesy: @merab.dvalishvili on Instagram]

'The Machine' also displayed his current physique three weeks away from his scheduled fight with O'Malley. Dvalishvili has never struggled to make 135 pounds but looked to be in pristine condition at 33 years old.

Merab Dvalishvili shows off his physique. [Image courtesy: @merab.dvalishvili on Instagram]

Merab Dvalishvili's minor injury ahead of UFC 306

While he has insisted that he will not pull out of UFC 306, Merab Dvalishvili gave fans a scare on Instagram by posting a video from what appeared to be a doctor's office on Aug. 20. In the clip, the doctor was examining a cut on his head that was recently acquired on a soft spot of his temple.

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The post made its way to Sean O'Malley, who commented on X, telling Dvalishvili that he 'better not' withdraw from the fight. Dana White also was made aware of its existence and angrily reacted to it following the Aug. 20 edition of Dana White's Contender Series, calling Dvalishvili 'stupid' for posting the video.

Regardless of its seriousness, Dvalishvili replied to O'Malley, saying he is 'stronger than ever' and never even considered pulling out of the fight.