Dvalishvili: Extreme Sparring Before the Fight, UFC Coach Reveals

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili surprised everyone by completing five full rounds of sparring at 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 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 that the champion sparred hours before heading to the event.

This isn’t new. It’s funny that Khalil is the one telling it.

John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA

Syndicate MMA head coach John Wood confirmed the information. According to Wood, Dvalishvili has been doing this routine since he started training him in 2020. Wood even revealed that on occasion the fighter has wanted to spar six rounds, but he has had to stop him. Wood explained that the five rounds are performed at a pace of “approximately 70 percent.” Despite this, it remains an unusual practice in the sport and, in Wood’s words, they are “hard and technical rounds.”

The way Merab does it, he’s a savage. He’s a complete 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

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.

The craziest thing is the five rounds right before the fight. Aljamain brings full protective gear, and it’s a complete workout in the locker room. Obviously, Aljo isn’t there to hurt him, and it’s gotten to a point on multiple occasions where I feel bad for Aljo, because Merab is just beating him up back there. It’s pretty interesting.

John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA

Dvalishvili is known for his relentless physical condition. 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.