Did you know that the Georgian bantamweight star Merab Dvalishvili fought more than just his scheduled bout this past Saturday night at UFC 298? With a nickname like “The Machine,” it's not surprising that Dvalishvili prides himself on his exceptional conditioning, but his preparation for the Henry Cejudo showdown went beyond an ordinary warm-up.
As it turns out, Dvalishvili had a three-round sparring session with his best friend and former UFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling. Sterling, who also played the role of coach and cornerman for Dvalishvili that night, was not just there for moral support.
Dvalishvili’s longtime coach, Ray Longo, first spilled the beans about this intense backstage sparring session on the Anik & Florian podcast. He described it as a brutal three-round fight, with both fighters not holding back. "He literally fought Aljo, three rounds, brutal," Longo said. He further revealed that it was a full-blown fight, not just a simple warm-up or drill.
Dvalishvili, in an appearance on The MMA Hour, confirmed Longo's words. He mentioned that this unconventional warm-up with Sterling is something he prefers to really feel prepared for a fight. He stated, "That's how we warm up. I like to warm up good. But yeah, we are best friends and training partners. We beat each other [up] and make each other better. Then we are ready for anybody else.”
Sterling, too, shared his experience of the intense sparring session, insisting that it's part of their normal routine to get Dvalishvili ready for the fight. He detailed, "I spar with Merab for three rounds, three hard rounds. He did something to my kneecap. I was in a fight. I felt afterwards I was in a fight!"
The unconventional warm-up seemed to pay off. Dvalishvili dominated Cejudo after a closely contested opening round, leading to a unanimous decision victory. He even went as far as to say that the sparring with "Aljo" was a tougher fight than what Cejudo presented in their No. 1 contender’s bout. This victory marked Dvalishvili's 10th consecutive win, making him hopeful for a title shot in his next fight.
In conclusion, Dvalishvili's unique warm-up routine showcases his drive and determination. His approach, while unconventional, seems to be working wonders for him, leading us to eagerly anticipate his next fight.
