Merab Dvalishvili: The Champion Who Was Sparring Hours Before the Fight
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 at the T-Mobile Arena. Dvalishvili (21-4) achieved a dominant decision victory over Sandhagen (18-5) on Saturday, 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 the champion’s unusual preparation.Wood added that Dvalishvili has maintained this practice since he began training him in 2020. Every fight day, he does five rounds of sparring. According to Wood, the rounds are done at 70% intensity, a practice uncommon in the sport, but which seeks a technical and demanding approach. In addition to the five rounds in the gym, Dvalishvili also performs an exhaustive warm-up in the venue itself before the fight. The 34-year-old Georgian fighter usually does between three and five additional rounds with his teammate and former bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, just before entering the octagon.“This isn’t new, it’s funny that Khalil is the one revealing it,” commented Syndicate MMA head coach John Wood.
John Wood
Dvalishvili is known for his relentless cardiovascular endurance. In Saturday’s fight against Sandhagen, he achieved 20 takedowns, raising his career total to 117, the most in UFC history. He has already requested the UFC to schedule his next title defense in December.“The most surprising thing is the five rounds right before the fight,” Wood added.
John Wood
