UPDATE: UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili showcased his relentless training regimen by sparring for five full rounds just hours before his title defense against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. This intense pre-fight workout took place inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas last Saturday, approximately nine hours prior to the bout.
Dvalishvili, with a record now standing at 21-4, delivered a commanding performance against Sandhagen, who fell to 18-5, winning by decision in a fight that highlighted Dvalishvili’s dominance. In a revealing discussion on the Jaxxon Podcast, fellow fighter and teammate Khalil Rountree Jr. confirmed Dvalishvili’s unusual warm-up routine, sparring five rounds before heading to the arena.
Head coach John Wood endorsed Rountree’s comments, stating, “Merab has done this ever since I started training him in 2020. Every fight day, he goes in and spars for five rounds.” Wood noted that while the sparring sessions are intense, they are conducted at about 70 percent effort, designed for technical improvement rather than full-on competition.
The unusual practice, while raising eyebrows within the MMA community, is integral to Dvalishvili’s preparation. “He’s a straight savage,” Wood remarked, acknowledging the nerves that accompanied observing this routine initially. “It’s just part of his process.”
Adding to his rigorous training schedule, Dvalishvili engages in another three to five rounds with longtime teammate and former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling right before he steps into the octagon. “It’s quite interesting,” Wood added, highlighting the intensity of these pre-fight exchanges. “Aljamain brings full head gear, and it’s a full go in the locker room.”
Dvalishvili’s stamina was on full display during the fight against Sandhagen, where he executed a record-breaking 20 takedowns, elevating his career total to 117—the most in UFC history. Following this resounding victory, he has already requested the UFC schedule his next title defense for December.
As Dvalishvili continues to break records and redefine training norms, fans eagerly anticipate his next move in the octagon. His commitment to excellence and unique approach to fight preparation are making headlines, keeping him in the spotlight as one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.
Stay tuned for further updates on Dvalishvili’s upcoming title defense and what this means for the bantamweight division.
