Merab Dvalishvili: A Champion with Unusual Preparation
The UFC bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili, surprised everyone by completing five full rounds of sparring in the gym last weekend in Las Vegas, approximately nine hours before his title defense against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 inside the T-Mobile Arena. Dvalishvili (21-4) defeated Sandhagen (18-5) by decision, in what was apparently his second five-round fight that day. During an appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, UFC light heavyweight, Khalil Rountree Jr., Dvalishvili’s teammate at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, revealed the champion’s unusual preparation.According to Wood, the five rounds are performed at a pace of “approximately 70 percent.” Although it is an uncommon practice in the sport, Wood describes it as “tough and technical fights.” 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 usually does between three and five more rounds with his teammate and former bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, just before entering the octagon. Dvalishvili is known for his relentless cardio. In the 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.Merab has been doing this since I started training him [in 2020]. Every fight day, he comes in and spars for five rounds. He wanted to do six, and I had to stop him.
John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA
