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, approximately nine hours before his title defense against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. Dvalishvili (21-4) defeated Sandhagen (18-5) by decision in a fight that turned out to be 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 this unusual preparation.John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA, confirmed the information. According to Wood, Dvalishvili has followed this routine since he started training him in 2020. The coach even revealed that Dvalishvili tried to do six rounds, but he stopped him. Wood explained that these five rounds are performed at a 70% pace, but they are still an uncommon practice in the sport. The coach describes Dvalishvili as “savage” and confesses that, at first, this routine made him nervous. In addition to the five rounds in the gym, Dvalishvili also warms up in the arena before the fight. Generally, the 34-year-old Georgian fighter does between three and five rounds with his teammate and former bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, just before entering the octagon. Dvalishvili is known for his incredible cardiovascular endurance. In the fight against Sandhagen, he achieved 20 takedowns, raising his career total to 117, the most in UFC history. He has already requested that the UFC schedule his next title defense for December.This is not new. It’s funny that Khalil is the one revealing it.
John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA
