UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili surprised everyone by completing a full five-round training session at the gym last weekend in Las Vegas, approximately nine hours before his title defense against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. Dvalishvili (21-4) defeated Sandhagen (18-5) by decision, in what was apparently his second five-round fight of the day. During an appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, UFC light heavyweight Khalil Rountree Jr., Dvalishvili’s teammate at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, revealed this unusual preparation.
Syndicate MMA head coach John Wood confirmed the information. According to Wood, Dvalishvili has maintained this routine since he began training him in 2020. Wood explained that these five rounds are performed at a pace of “around 70 percent.” Although it is not a common practice in the sport, Wood describes it as “hard and technical fights.”This is nothing new. It’s curious that Khalil is the one who revealed it.
John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA
In addition to the five rounds in the gym, Dvalishvili also does a good warm-up in the arena before the fight. The 34-year-old Georgian fighter usually does between three and five more rounds with his teammate and former bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, just before entering the octagon.The way Merab does it, he’s a savage. He’s a real savage. I used to get nervous doing this on fight day, until I realized it’s part of his process.
John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA
Dvalishvili is known for his relentless endurance. In his fight against Sandhagen, he achieved 20 takedowns, which raised his career total to 117, the most in UFC history. He has already requested that the UFC schedule his next title defense in December.The craziest thing is the five rounds right before he fights.
John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA
