Merab Dvalishvili | Ep. 165

Summary

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FULL SEND PODCAST: Merab Dvalishvili | Ep. 165

Date: August 28, 2025
Podcast: Full Send Podcast (Shots Podcast Network)
Guest: Merab Dvalishvili, UFC Bantamweight Champion
Duration covered: [01:27] – [75:03]

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Episode Overview

This episode features UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, known for his relentless fighting style and work ethic. The conversation is a deep dive into Merab’s unique training philosophy, reflections on key fights, insights into UFC’s business decisions, cultural experiences, and his personal life. The tone is casual, humorous, and candid, providing both tactical fight talk and a look into Merab’s values and personality.

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1. Merab’s Training Philosophy

Timestamps: [01:38] – [03:22]

• Self-Managed Approach:
  • Merab does not have a head coach who oversees all his training.

    “I’m a professional fighter and I do my stuff, you know.” — Merab [03:09]

  • He works with coaches for specific disciplines (striking, sparring, jiu-jitsu) but largely listens to his body and manages his own routines.
• Comparison to Aljo:
  • Merab and friend Aljamain Sterling often train together, especially for fight camps, mimicking each other's opponents to prepare.

    “He likes training with me because... we always push each other.” — Merab [03:44]

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2. Reflections on Key Fights and Rivalries

Timestamps: [04:41] – [11:28], [12:29] – [24:28]

• Aljo vs Brian Ortega:
  • Praises Aljo’s dominant win; thinks he deserves another title shot.

    “A beautiful performance, like dominate five rounds... Aljo did what he was supposed to do.” — Merab [04:44]

• Corey Sandhagen (Upcoming Fight):
  • Sees every next opponent as the toughest yet, respects Corey’s tricky style and hunger.

    “I always look like that. My next fight always is my toughest challenge.” — Merab [09:26]

• On Being “Unbeatable”:
  • Pushes back on easy-favorite narratives:

    “Everybody is beatable, you know, depends the day... that’s why I wanna train even more hard...” — Merab [13:00]

• Umar Nurmagomedov Rivalry:
  • Most personal fight due to perceived disrespect, rooted in Umar’s family connections and public trash talk.

    “And when he disrespect me, I was mad about that, you know.” — Merab [15:07]

• Peter Yan Rivalry & National Pride:
  • The Yan fight was especially personal because of Russian disrespect to Georgia and political history.

    “Russia has occupied my country... It’s personal.” — Merab [19:13]

• On Trash Talk:
  • Fighters who disrespect him bring out his most intense performances.

    “Because everyone that tries to talk, seems like it doesn’t really work out, right?” — Host [22:13]

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3. Cultural Experiences & Travel

Timestamps: [06:19] – [09:14]

• Impressions of China:
  • Praises the country’s cleanliness and infrastructure, notes the intense language barrier.

    “No, it’s much better than what I was expecting... big country, big buildings, big roads and very clean.” — Merab [06:20]

  • Shares stories of fan recognition and local hospitality, including being treated by a shopkeeper.

    “He don’t let me pay. He just... taking care of. Imagine, like in China.” — Merab [08:01]

• UFC PI in Shanghai:
  • Calls it the best Performance Institute gym globally.

    “UFC PI is the best in China... Way better than what we have in Las Vegas.” — Merab [09:14]

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4. Mindset: Pressure, Preparation, and Growth

Timestamps: [10:54] – [14:57]

• Handling Pressure:
  • Pressure shifted from chasing the belt to defending it; remains humble about unpredictability in MMA.
• Key Growth Fights:
  • Cites the Umar fight as a turning point in public opinion about his legitimacy as champion.

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5. Thoughts on Other Fighters and the Divisions

Timestamps: [23:26] – [52:41]

• Sean O’Malley (Suga):
  • Respects O’Malley’s talent and star power but thinks wrestlers are a bad matchup for him.

    “Sugar should fight like anybody else, but not wrestler.” — Merab [23:04]

• Weight Cut Realities:
  • Describes the brutal nature of weight cutting:

    “The weight cutting is the hardest part... I do this only last six days.” — Merab [29:36]

• Ilya Topuria and Arman:
  • Disagrees with Khabib’s opinion, says Ilya has superior takedown defense.

    “He stops takedown... I try to shoot him, take him down... I can’t.” — Merab [25:38], [26:05]

• Islam Makhachev vs. Topuria:
  • Thinks Ilya could finish Islam if they fought.

    “But I believe he can finish Islam.” — Merab [33:08]

• Khamzat Chimaev:
  • Praises his smart performance but notes others with strong jiu-jitsu could give him problems.

    “Khamzat is a great guy, great champion... it’s always can be somebody.” — Merab [49:54]

• Super Fights & Moving Up/Down:
  • Not chasing “double champ” status but open to super fights or eventually moving up/down in weight.

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6. UFC Business, TV Deals, and Exposure

Timestamps: [34:54] – [38:11]

• Pay-Per-View Switch to Paramount Plus/CBS:
  • Sees benefit in greater exposure and less piracy; admits pay-per-view points aren’t significant income unless you are a massive draw.

    “UFC is a big company... this is good for us. Now everybody can watch our fights.” — Merab [34:59]

• Potential for a White House Card:
  • Wants to compete on this historic event, and notes he’s the only American citizen male champ.

    “I got my citizenship. So... I'm the only one American citizen champ right now.” — Merab [37:44]

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7. Personal Stories & Life Outside Fighting

Timestamps: [52:41] – [74:37]

• Fan Interaction & “Suga is Your Daddy” Story:
  • Handles heckling with humor and restraint, shares a story about nearly confronting a disrespectful fan at an event.

    “If you slap him, he’s not gonna do back. It’s like I just slapped... yeah, exactly.” — Merab [55:16]

• Street Fights in Georgia and U.S.:
  • Grew up fighting as a form of self-defense and respect; recounts two rare incidents in the U.S. stemming from misunderstandings or disrespect, often related to women.

    “Both of them [street fights in US]... all because of chicks too.” — Host [68:07]

• Dating, Marriage, and Values:
  • Open about struggles of finding a “wife material” woman, especially with current lifestyle demands.

    “Now I started paying attention to find a good wife material girl who I will have a family with... and kids need both.” — Merab [68:57]

  • Discusses red flags, traditional values, and the challenge of dating in Vegas.

    “Vegas is impossible.” — Merab [70:06]

• On Aljo getting Married:
  • Will be part of Aljo’s wedding party; jokes about wedding logistics and friendship.
• Philosophy on Family and Legacy:
  • Wants a future filled with family and fighting, but doesn’t believe in overplanning results in fighting.

    “My goal is just to do my best... fight much as I can... I want more wins and more fights. My goal is to fight until 50 years old in the UFC.” — Merab [43:52]

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8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On handling his own fight prep:

  “I’m a professional fighter and I do my stuff.” — Merab [03:09]

• On Aljo’s performance:

  “A beautiful performance, like dominate five rounds… only damage Aljo had, he landed his elbow to him and then he hurt himself.” — Merab [04:44]

• On China:

  “Much better than what I was expecting… big country, big buildings, big roads and very clean.” — Merab [06:20]

• On fans thinking he’s unbeatable:

  “Everybody is beatable, you know, depends the day… that’s why I wanna train even more hard…” — Merab [13:00]

• On personal street-fight rules:

  “First, I try avoid fighting. I’m a professional fighter. I don’t want to fight… But if I have to fight, I have to bully them or take them down.” — Merab [67:29]

• On his ideal partner:

  “I needed like very respectful, traditional, like… girl. I like all the women’s but… wife material… supportive, loyal.” — Merab [72:32], [72:52]

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Summary: What You’ll Take Away

• Merab is fiercely independent in his training, prioritizing self-awareness, and adaptability over rigid routines.
• He’s deeply loyal to friends, especially Aljo, and passionate about representing Georgia.
• He approaches every fight as his hardest yet, refuses to overlook any opponent, and cherishes growth through adversity, rather than glory-seeking.
• Business changes in the UFC excite him due to increased visibility, not just monetary gain.
• Personal life stories reveal Merab’s deep-rooted values, humility, and an understated sense of humor about the ups and downs of dating, friendship, and fame.

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Transcript

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[Podcast Host 1]

All right guys, we got Mara Bantamweight, champion of the world on the full send podcast today. Before we get into it, if you guys have not tried out the prize picks app, football season is officially back. Thursday Night Football, September 4th. College is starting this weekend. I cannot wait. I was firing on prize picks all summer long. We were doing WNBA baseball, but football is finally back. There is nothing better than watching football and firing on prize picks. Prize picks has a sweet new offer. Play $5 and get $50 in lineups. Win or lose. Sweet deal for football season. Week one of NFL is coming up and Prizepix has a max discount. Dak Prescott is already set at 0.5. Take Dak Prescott at 0.5, add it into your lineup. It's just going to boost your entire pick. Stay tuned to our Instagram stories because we're posting our picks all the time. We're headed to the Buffalo Bills game for Sunday night Football. We're going to be doing a massive prize picks for that.

[Podcast Host 2]

Let's go.

[Podcast Host 1]

Football is final pick season is here.

[Podcast Host 2]

Let's get into the podcast. All right guys, welcome back to another episode of the Full send podcast. We have a very special guest, the champion Marab in the house today. How we doing?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Very good. How are you?

[Podcast Host 2]

Good, bro. We just hit a tough ass workout. I hit up marab and I said we want to do the machine conditioning routine. I don't think we did the full thing though, right? What Was that, like 1 8?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, something like that. Yeah. But you know, that's why I always balance, you know, depends how much time I have, depends how much workout I've done before and then depends how much training I have next day. You know, that's why I always balance. I don't like to go training with, you know, ufcpi. They have good coaching from shaking shake. I don't know what's the house, a striking condition. How do you say?

[Podcast Host 2]

Strength and conditioning.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, they have good coaches but they sometimes they do push too much in. They don't know what training you have next.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

And what training you've done before. That's why I always feel myself. So now whatever time we had, we use it good, you know.

[Podcast Host 2]

So you don't have like a head coach.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No.

[Podcast Host 2]

That structures your entire training program. Because a lot of other fighters, they have that right.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

They have it, they trust. But, you know.

[Podcast Host 2]

But you've never had someone like that.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No, like, like my friend Aldo, he always training. He does his own training, you know, he. He feels his body and I pretty much do same, you know, I do have a coach. I mean, of course I have a coach in Long island where we used to training very longo and etc. And I have a John Wood, he's a gym owner. And wherever I spawn, he's watching my sparring and he gives me structures like. And you know, after the spine, he told me, maybe you should do this. Whatever you did this one good. But, but I go jujitsu my own, I lift weights my own, I run my own, you know, and I don't have to tell him anything like that, you know, I just, I'm a professional fighter and I do my stuff, you know.

[Podcast Host 2]

You and Aljo, how much do you guys train together and help each other? You guys seem like obviously to the public eye now that I'm hanging out with you guys, you guys have a very special friendship, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I mean, we always train together in Long island, you know, we used to train together and then Aljo moved here in Vegas and I moved Vegas, and we pretty much always training together whenever he has a fight, you know, I try to help him much as I can. Like, you know, usually, especially now he moved up weight loss. He usually trainings with bigger guys, different style guys, but I always jump like at least two rounds or something in a sparring or, you know, he likes training with me because in the push and then cardio and stuff, like, we always push each other, you know, so. And then me, you know, I'll always mimicate. So every time I fight, either Peterian or Shali or he give me the better look than that. He likes to mimicate fighters. You know, he give me good look for my, my next opponent, you know, let's say, yeah, now I'm gonna fight Corey Sahagan. I'm sure Aljo will help me too. And he's gonna mimic a switch stands like Corey Sahengan does, and sometimes ply knee. And then if we go down the Corey likes to attack the leg. And I'm sure Aljo will mimicate him, you know, stuff like this.

[Podcast Host 2]

What did you think of Aljo's performance? You were there in China, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

A beautiful performance, like dominate five Rounds, you know, and then, I mean, I love Brian Ortega and then I actually feel bad for him, but, you know, so Aljo did what he was supposed to do. And then you can see Brian Ortega's face after the fight. And then you see Aljo only damage Aljo had, he landed his elbow to him and then he hurt himself. But yeah, that was like a very good performance. He beat tough top opponent. Brian Ortega was title challenger two times. And I think Aljo deserve title fight after this because especially in top five now there is Yaya Rodriguez and there is Diego Lopez. But they both had chance fight for the birthday. Both lost, you know, and then now.

[Podcast Host 2]

Aljo vs folk would be a, a big fight, I feel fight. Yes, that would be a very good fight.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. Alo is former champion, like 23 fights in UFC and was big name even he Alja fought Mo. And then a lot of people thinks Aljo win too. But you know, even if you, if you look up, if you look the fight close, Aljo maybe lost this fight because of last one and a half minutes, 90 seconds because Aljo got reversed and he got stuck in like param position and, and that's. But, you know. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

So how was China?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Good, actually. No, it's much better than what I was expecting. You know, it's a big country, big buildings, big roads and very clean. And lots of Chinese people probably. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

And they just, I heard they just felt like they do not speak English at all, right? No, it's very like it's a big language barrier.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yes.

[Podcast Host 2]

It's not like going to like Mexico or something where like they know a bit of English.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Like they're Chinese over there, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, exactly. And then it's not even close, you know, like, you know, they have totally different like accents and language and they don't understand. You know, maybe in Mexico or some other country, you can talk with the hands or something. But over there they, they saw you they first day. We have like a very big problems. We, we go some place that, where we want to eat, like a small restaurant. Well, we can. You can't even order. Yeah. And then.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because you can't read the menu.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. And then we just touch some foods. They bring spicy food, something, you know, but you gotta eat, you know, you're hungry. So. Yeah, but, but let me tell you one thing. So, but like, and then I go one supermarket, I buy some ice cream and chocolate for me and my friend Dennis Bazookia. And then the, the, the, the seller Chinese guy, he recommend me and then he Give me. He don't. He don't let me pay. I'm like, bro, let me pay. What are you. What are you doing China. But he was just wrestling with me that he don't want to be pay. He don't let me pay. He just. Just taking care of. Imagine, like in China.

[Podcast Host 2]

Do you think he knew you? Yeah, like, he was a fan.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. And then some guys was there also, like, you know, some guys, and maybe they. Yeah, you know, the guy. Actually, I was there day before, and he asked me some questions. So the next day when I go, then he don't let me pay.

[Podcast Host 2]

Wow.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's crazy.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

And then, you know, we was at another, like, a barbecue place, restaurants, and also next to us, it some Chinese guys drinking and drinking beer, whatever, and then. And then we were just toasting. Do we have a good time with them? Like, that was just super cool.

[Podcast Host 2]

Did you guys have any drinks over there or.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No, I don't. I only drink after. I'll just fight. We. I'll drop in the new Barrel Funk harbor, and we just drink that. Just one. One glass.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's crazy. We might go there soon to film.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

A video in China.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Well, interesting.

[Podcast Host 2]

So you recommend it?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, I mean, UFC PI is the best in China. They have PI there. Yes. This is the biggest. Way better than this, whatever we have in Las Vegas. Wow. And the food is so much better in ucpa. Really? I would say most good things from China, that was ucpa, like training gym.

[Podcast Host 2]

Damn, we got to go there. If we go to China, it's good.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

You have to go.

[Podcast Host 2]

So your upcoming fight versus Corey Sandhagen, how are you feeling about this fight in terms of, like, where do you think this ranks amongst difficulty?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I always look like that. My next fight always is my toughest challenge and always my biggest fight. You know, especially me and Koli, we never fought each other before. His new challenger is. I'm sure he's very hungry to beat the champion and he wants to take my belt. You know, Corey has a lot of wins in my weight class. He beat guys like Song Gidong. He beat Frankie Edgar. He beat. And a lot of good guys. You know, I can't remember names, but he always. He only lost. He had he. With Aljo and title fight. Close fight against Peter Yan.

[Podcast Host 2]

He lost to Umar too.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No. Yeah, he actually. Yeah, and then. Yeah, exactly. But he did give. It. Did give him a very good fight. And then we know the style. Max fight. And it's gonna be a hard style for me because he. He moves A lot on his foot. And he also, if you take him down, he attacks legs, you know, and he popped TJ Delicious knee. And he popped Figueroa those knee. And then figured to give up, you know, right after, like, after that, bigger to tap out, you know. So, yeah, I have to be smart and, you know, that's my job to prepare. Preparation good. You know, in the paper, I. I should win. But me, I want to just be best version of myself.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because I think a lot of fans are now looking at Merab and they're saying, yeah, how do you beat this guy? You know what I'm saying? Because I think when you first fought Suga, you were the underdog. Yeah, you beat him. And yeah, the Umar fight was. That was, I think, a decisive change on the way that people saw you. Right? Because that was supposed to be. I mean, I was so pumped for that fight. I was honestly more pumped for that fight than it was supposed to be. Islam and Armand. But that co main event, I feel like that was one of the biggest co main events ever in UFC history in terms of hype, because you just didn't know who was going to win.

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[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, in the last two rounds, you just kind of. You really showed that you were the better guy that night, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah. So after that, it's kind of like now people are looking at you and they're just like, how do you. How do you beat this guy?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Exactly. But. And, you know, I don't want to put in my head this. So people. Yeah, exactly, exactly. Everybody like, oh, you got this easy. You know, before I have so much pressure, you know, me before winning every fight, and then I wanted to fight for the belt, right? And then not only fight for the belt, I wanted to win the fight. You know, a lot of people got title fight, but they never win the belt. And, and so, and I have a pressure on me because I, I was never champion before and I want to accomplish that. And, and so when I fought first time, Sean o', Malley, I know I was better fighter than him, but I was very smart and came first fight and I was arranged the distance and I play very smart and I win the belt. But yeah, people was like, I don't know. Yeah, they questionable. Like people still like, don't I understand too. But yeah, you're right. Like after rumor fight, they realized that I'm a real deal. And then next Shawn Omali fight, even people was thinking, oh, first time you got lucky. Something like that. And then when I make statement and now, now everybody like thinks, oh yeah, like nobody can beat me. But it's a, it's a mma. Everybody, it's style makes fight. And everybody is beatable, you know, depends. The day depends, the time depends on the like little details, you know. And that's why I wanna training even more hard than what I was training before. And because like I said, one punch can thing. And especially according got like a crazy knockout with Pliny. He knock out Frankie Edgar and then spinning back kick against Marlon Morales. And he's very top guy. Like I remember. I think that was his debut. Maybe he was fighting against somebody Brazilian and the guy had him in a armbar, like triangle something. He was hammering the guy not quit. You know, I think only he got pinched only one time against Aljo. Otherwise he's, he's pissed, you know.

[Podcast Host 2]

What was the most personal of, of the last few fights? Was it Umar?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Of course Umar. Because that one.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because you seem like in the press conferences you were like, you were visibly like kind of fired up.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, because Umar, I know him a long time and I always show him my respect. And as a man, you know, like we, we don't care, we don't care anything else. We just want to respect, you know, just. And especially, you know, I was fighting always next contenders and I got here for my work, you know. And Umar, he's a good fighter, but he got pushed because of his Kabb's cousin. And that's hyped him, you know, like. And so. And then when he disrespect me, I was mad about that, you know. So go back to Omar. There is so many good fighters in UFC like Bautista, but he has to work to get what he deserved. And everybody else, you know, there is the other Guys also, they work very hard and. But because of. They don't have a cousin like Habib, you know, they don't give him title fight, you know, so. And then. And he was disrespecting me and, and especially in Twitter and the Internet. And yeah, I was very mad about him. And that was for sure.

[Podcast Host 2]

He's kind of gone a bit quiet right since.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

But it's almost like a kind of scary quiet. Like I haven't heard. He hasn't. Has he tweeted or he. I think you really, like, he's in the dungeons of Dagestan training right now. I think like, you must have really fired him up right after that loss. I think so, because I haven't seen much from him.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, bro, he was talking too much. Even, Even the press conference day Thursday when we pace up and then I take a picture with the belt and whatever and he said, last picture, last picture. He was keep pointing at me. Then I was taking with the belt like last picture, like. And that's like stupid from him, you know, and. But if he deserved title fight again, if we fought again, I will destroy him now. This time I will beat the share of him. You know, first fight, you know, now the next fight, I will. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Why do you think? Because you've just improved that much? Even more.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I win and now I can talk about this. I was injured, like my back was killing me and then I had impaction on my leg. And then. And then that was very stressful training camp and. But next, next fight, if I have to fight him, you know, that's what.

[Podcast Host 2]

I was gonna ask.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, he, you know, so who do.

[Podcast Host 2]

You think he fights next?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I think I know who is going to fight next. He's a top guy from ufc and these guys should have a title fight the guy who's fighting him. But. So. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

So you think it'll be yon versus Umar?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No. Oh. Oh, no. That's other guy. I think Bautista is fighting Omar. Yeah. And. Yeah. So, yeah, let's see how he does. And then me, I wanna. I want a quick turnaround.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, you told me this earlier.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. So I don't overlook Corey Sanhegan. So it's a tough. It's gonna be tough fight, but God willing, I'm gonna do my best to win this fight. And if I win, I want to come back quick turn around, then I want to fight in December. I. I will ask UFC favor to give me another fight in December or even November. I don't care. I can come back and then because Peterian is clear contender right now, you know, he deserved it. You know, I don't want to make him way too long. I can take a quick turn around and fight him. And then after, we'll see who will be next. Next attendant.

[Podcast Host 2]

But you dominated you on the first fight. Yeah, but like, I was actually at that fight that was at that, like, special arena too, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Where was that?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Virgin Hotel. Yeah, here in Vegas. I got lucky because I was supposed to be in April.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

I was there.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

You were. Were.

[Podcast Host 2]

You were picking them up and slamming them and.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, yeah, I did good. You know, because actually, the. The before rumor fight, that fight was more stressful and most personal fight for me because he was also disrespect me. And then, you know, he's from the country Russia, and Russia has occupied my country 20 territory. And it's like always, you know, it's personal, you know, and it's like, I don't have nothing against people, but, you know, I have a problem with the government and politicians and the people who don't respect my country and who thinks it's okay, you know, it's okay. It's okay. Yo, I can come Georgia, enjoy, drink Georgian wine, eat Georgian food, that's fine if Russia has occupied our country. But if some people feels bad and feel sorry about war, feel sorry about what's going on, and then the Russia is a dictator country, you know this. It's not democrat. You know, if you protest something, you go jail. You know, you cannot say anything about government and then anyway. But if people, like, feel sorry about what's going on, then I respect my respect for them. But people don't give a about that and they being bullied and like this, and I have a problem, so. And Peter was acting like a bully, and especially I thought he was very disrespectful for before. And that was personal fight for me. And before the fight, I have no idea how I was supposed to fight him because, like, usually every fight I have a plan. You know, sometimes, you know, against Josiah Aldo, I was not trying. I was not planning to wrestling with him because he, you know, it's hard to take him down. But that's why I was like striking pressure put against the wall. Even Marlon Moraes, I was thinking to his black belt, jiu jitsu, and I don't want to take him down. You know, I don't want to cut, get cut in submission. And I was striking. He got. He dropped me. He tko, not TKO me, like knock down. He knocked down me. And after I had to wrestling, I have to go for it. So every fight I have a different like a plan. But against Peterian fight, I don't have a plan because I'm like how I'm gonna, I was scratching my head how I'm gonna fight him, you know, because he has a good take down the fence. He's a great striker.

[Podcast Host 2]

And then, and he's a dog, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

He's dog. And I'm like, how I'm gonna fight this?

[Podcast Host 2]

You know, I think you had a good game plan.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

And then so day before when we make Wayne wait and then he pushed me and then I'm like, then my mind open, I, I, then I realize how I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm like, I'm gonna make you like I'm gonna tissue you. I'm gonna.

[Podcast Host 2]

So it seems like if you shouldn't talk to me, Rob.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, I think so.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because everyone that tries to talk seems like it doesn't really work out, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because you seem like such a, like you are a great guy obviously, but it seems like when someone disrespects you, you like.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

You kind of flip a little bit of a switch, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I think so, yeah. Because yeah, it shows that after Peter inspired and after I, I, I can't do much better against Umar. But it's okay. I mean, I mean next time I'm, I'm telling you, if, if we have.

[Podcast Host 2]

To fight again, I'll be honest. I think you're gonna fight again at some point.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Okay.

[Podcast Host 2]

Cuz I don't think you're gonna lose. And he's probably, you know, one of the best in unless he fights Suga first.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

How do you think that would play out?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I mean every fight is different and of course like depends the but I won't recommend this fight for Suga. I know it's still a little bit risky now just because wrestling, yeah, Sugar has big reach. He has a knockout power for sure, a good distance. He knows how to stop like this. He knows wrestling. He's good with backtaking and stuff like this. I mean I think Sugar should fight like anybody else, but not wrestler.

[Podcast Host 2]

Do you think he's still like the biggest star in the division or number two?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, he is. And he is, he's actually good fighter, man. First fight I was game, you know, I was like very a game, you know, like take him down, stand up, wait for my takedown opportunities. Second fight, I was just pressuring and pressuring and waiting opening him to for takedown and take him down and just make him tired. And then after. Actually after the second round, I grabbed the neck, but when I. When I heard the bell, 10 second bell. And I don't squeeze because I don't want to make him think about I was gonna choke, and I just let him go. And then. But that round, I looked about clock and it was like more than 30 seconds, whatever. And then that's where I go and finish. So anyway, he's a good fighter, but I will say he can fight anyone else, but not Uma.

[Podcast Host 2]

Who would you like to see him fight next?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

After I would beat Peterian. He should fight Peterian.

[Podcast Host 2]

I guess Jan vs O' Malley too would be big because of their history type.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. Too.

[Podcast Host 2]

Their. Their first fight was very close.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, that would be good fight. Yeah. And I think o' Malley grow up after that a lot because, you know.

[Podcast Host 2]

He'S gonna go up.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No, he grew up a lot grow up, you know. You know, he was always good fighter, but he wasn't fighting, fighting like a tough top 10 or top 15 fighters before peteria anyone, you know, that was like one big step for him, you know, to fight like former champion. And then a very tough guy, Peterian, and especially like close to his country. The fight was in Abu Dhabi and he did very good against him. And. And after, they. They give him best opportunity, you know, right time, right winner, title fight.

[Podcast Host 2]

I wanted to get your take on. I saw something Khabib said recently, I think it was yesterday. He said that he thinks that Arman would really beat Ilya in a fight.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Nobody knows this, but Khabib, usually he's good, you know, he's smart and he knows fighting. But this time I don't agree with him because Ilya has a good takedown defense. You know, he stops takedown. You know, he's a good wrestler. I train with him and I try to shoot him, take him down by. I. I can't. I can't.

[Podcast Host 2]

Really?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

So even you trained with him and you couldn't take him down?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No.

[Podcast Host 2]

Wow.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

You know, he comes forward, he pressures you, and he wants to make you to fight back. You know, like. Like strike with him. Oh, that's where you make mistake. If you strike with him, that's where he got you. So either you have to walk backward and run from him and keep trying to shoot and take him down, which is impossible, or they have to strike with him like. Like. Like Max Holloway did, like what Kanowski did, or like Oliveira did. And we all see what happened.

[Podcast Host 2]

Do you Think that's what the next fight will be for Ilya Arman Because a lot of people are saying I mean it was your card that had happened that he pulled out on the back. Did he just not make weight? Yeah right.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I can't say. I mean probably but that's like a.

[Podcast Host 2]

Big but you can't pull out the day before the fight with the injury, right? Yeah like you could pull out like a week before with the injury 100 because how do you get injured on weigh in day Unless it's like a weight cut thing.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

So like how he said he was, he was feeling pain his back back. But that's what we all deal with. You know the when we make weight that's we have this feeling bro you every time like day before I'm. I'm feeling I'm dying and if you saw me that me cutting weight you think this guy, how this guy will fight? Because I'm like even I do myself usually I don't want to nobody saw me because how I usually run to the chad man with a lot of clothes on and then I just killing myself and after I'm just dead all night waiting for Waynes and I'm like I can't breathe, I can't move. Sometimes like two times I pass out after. So when I was fighting that weight cut I pass out first time in my life and and people rumor fight also I pass out because now I know why. Because usually I have a you know sauna suit. What they call sauna suit. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

What those things that they zip you guys up in?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, like. Yeah. It's like a plastic.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Inside. But usually I have a T shirt and a sauna suit and I and then I run with it. But I guess those, those two times I have a naked. I mean I don't have a T shirt inside. I have just like I was naked in a sauna suit and but when, once I stop running after 25 minutes when I usually. Usually where I sit or I just lay down and put some like clothes on me on top because I want to continue sweating when I sit. This, this sauna suit is hot. You know you can breathe inside because when I have a T shirt his T shirt is wet and then it's. It's not. Doesn't make you too. Too hot I guess makes you hot but I guess but with that I can't breathe you know with the sauna suit and like and I don't want to take off because I don't have more energy to running in the morning, you know, I wanna. I try my best to don't take clothes off, but I was passing like I called, I screamed to my friend, water. And I said, come, come. I. I'm like, I'm. I'm dying. You. I need your help. And I, you know, I lay down and I. Crazy. So. So what I'm saying is the. The weight cutting is the hardest part. And then everybody have a hard time. Doesn't matter.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's the thing. I know. I don't think I'll ever understand how you guys do that.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Oh, this is crazy. Like it's. And this is really great. Imagine like now whatever I am, I have to cut £20 more. And I do this only last six days. You know, I know some guys start like diet and whatever, like two months before. But I kind of do like a kind of old style. Like I just don't drink last today and don't eat last today. And I work out.

[Podcast Host 2]

People talk about how dangerous that is right, for the body, but there's no. Like, what would the solution to that even be? Like weighing in on the day of the fight instead of. I guess it's always been part of the sport. Any combat sports, right.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I. I fought in Golden Gloves in boxing and the. Wayne was two hours before, but I was still counting like 15 pounds, you know. So people still even. They change the rules in one fc, but they still cut weight. And in I think wrestling also, they change the rules, they still cut weight.

[Podcast Host 2]

So there is no solution.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, no, I don't think so. I would like least if they check your body, workout weight and then you. You fight, but it's impossible. That's why I guess, I guess it's. I don't think it's possible to change. And that's why it's typical, you know, like, that's why it's like a lot of people don't want to do this because this is. Only a few people can do. That's why we have like, they give us like training camp, like, like two, three months. Because you need to prepare. Some people need to prepare. Like I tell you, I need only just six days to make weight. But if you tell me six days before. Do you have to fight in. In six days? Yeah, I will fight. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Told me that during our workout we just did. Is he only needs six days to get ready to fight.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because you just stay ready all the time.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. Now. Now I'm a champion and I, I mean UFC not gonna make me fight in six days, but like. Yeah, like I said, I mean, one day if I lose the belt and I can take fight in six days. And I did one time, it was Kobe time and I was here in Vegas helping Al Jama, standing my friend to his fight. And so in the UFC asked me to if I was fighting and. And then I take a fight in six days.

[Podcast Host 1]

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[Podcast Host 2]

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[Podcast Host 1]

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[Podcast Host 2]

Let's get back into the pod. Who do you think wins if Islam and Toporia fight? And do you think that fight will ever happen?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I hope it's going to happen and it's going to be tough fight for Ilia for sure. It won't be easy, but Ilia have a big chance. Like I said before, Ilya make you either shoot him like a wrestling, which is he will stop or Ilya will go forward. And Ilya no Islam has to strike with him and then striking. We all know that how Ilya fights and how dangerous he is and how knockout power he have. So it's gonna be tough fight for Ilya for sure. Like every fight is. But I believe he can finish Islamakhach.

[Podcast Host 2]

I wanted to get your take on the new UFC deal today in McDonaldland news.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

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[Podcast Host 2]

Switching over to Paramount plus and the no pay per view is gone now. Does that excite you as a fighter?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yes, for sure. Like, yeah, it's. It's good. Like, there will be no pay per view. Even more people watch now every fight. And of course, UFC is a big company and they know what they're doing and this is good. Good for us. Like, you know. Yeah. Like, now everybody can watch our fights and.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, but what happens to the pay per view points for the champ? Do you get like Paramount plus points now or something?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, I get paperb points, but it's not much. And then now I think everybody stalling, you know.

[Podcast Host 2]

Who's stalling?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

The people. Like, people like young people, you know, whatever. They. Everybody's streaming, right? Oh.

[Podcast Host 2]

Oh, they're like watching the fights illegally.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Ye.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

So this is going to help solve that a lot.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. This way they won't, you know, there is no pay per view, you know, so, I mean, I get paper points, but it's not much, you know, saying, like, it's not much, unfortunately. Like, I mean, I think most habib and Conor McGregor sells, they sell 2.2, 2 million.4, I believe. And everybody else, not much. Not even million or something else, you know, saying. And then that way, like, this way, I mean, our sport will grow up even better. And then to. I think it's good. Good, good, good, good decision from ufc. This is, you know, this is. It's going to be good for us.

[Podcast Host 2]

It's gonna be big because some of the fights are just straight on CBS too.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Which is like, that. I mean, Dana said the White House card potentially might not even be behind the paywall. It might just be on cbs, which would be like, anyone in America can watch that for free.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Lazy. Yeah. Is the.

[Podcast Host 2]

Is the White House card something you'd want to be a part of?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, I would love to.

[Podcast Host 2]

So you gotta time your fights accordingly. Then for the next July.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Like I tell you, I need six days to fight, you know, and no problem. I have no problem. I'm even willing to fight in October and then fight November and or December, you know, I have no problem with that. I love fighting and. And to fight for UFC is blessing. And to fight in. In such a special event White House, that would be great. And yeah, right now, like, immense division. I am the only one American champion. I'm Georgian.

[Podcast Host 2]

But you just got your citizenship too, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, I got my citizenship. So, I mean.

[Podcast Host 2]

Oh, so you're the only American citizen champ right now.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yes. And then I did say this one in interview some others. I give you some.

[Podcast Host 2]

You got to keep saying that everywhere. So they put you on.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. And I say, I mentioned this and I'm the only one American citizen around, the champion in men's division. And I said, I'm not American, but I'm. I'm. I have least citizen, but somebody comment. But you are American citizen. That's it. You're American. And I'm like, yeah, I'm American.

[Podcast Host 2]

Who do you think ends up on that card, if you had to guess? Because I think this is the first time that Conor McGregor is. There's. How many. How many years has been talk of him actually fighting? Right. This is the first time he's actually. He's back in the testing pool for the first time.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I agree.

[Podcast Host 2]

I think he's big for Connor.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yes, it's big. And I think he's really motivated.

[Podcast Host 2]

Do you see him sparring recently when.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

He was training Italy?

[Podcast Host 2]

I think it was like. Yeah, a few days ago, he was like, sparring. Some kid.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. Yeah. Actually, when I was China, I met his friends and we FaceTime. We FaceTime. And he asked me to weekend training and I said, let's go corner weekend training. I would like to training with you. And then, like I said, I. Now I have a fight. Of course I'm not gonna go nowhere. I can't be Vegas. And after my fight, I want to fight again this year. And after I can go visit him, you know, I'm gonna message him. You know, we always. We. We both follow each other in Instagram and Yeah, sometimes we.

[Podcast Host 2]

That would be sick.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, that would be good.

[Podcast Host 2]

We went to Ireland to do a video with him.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Wow, Nice.

[Podcast Host 2]

And we went to his bar.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

He's.

[Podcast Host 2]

He's a. He's a good guy.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

He's fun, but a lot of energy, bro.

[Podcast Host 2]

Oh, a lot.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

A lot of energy. I don't know. He's just always like, he wants.

[Podcast Host 2]

We were with him, and he wore, like, three different outfits throughout the night. Like, I saw him in one outfit, and then, like, I looked again, and he was wearing a different outfit, and then I saw him change and, like. And they're all, like, silk outfits.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Wow.

[Podcast Host 2]

Like, button ups. I don't how he did it, but. But a video of you guys, like, training together, that would be.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, as.

[Podcast Host 2]

As a fan. That'd be cool to see.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. Yes. Hopefully. Hopefully we can do it here. And. Yeah. So I'm excited for him. And that would be. Yeah, White House. That would be good for him. And then I would like to see him in White House fight. Fight, you know, And Jon Jones, I would like to see him there.

[Podcast Host 2]

But Dana's saying no.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Jon Jones, he's mad, I think, you.

[Podcast Host 2]

Know, because I think he's just saying Jones is not reliable.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, but not John, because, like, a.

[Podcast Host 2]

White House card, if you're in Dana shoes, he can't have someone back out of the card.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

So. Okay, this is my idea. Let's have a. In White House, Conor McGregor versus my Mike Chandler.

[Podcast Host 2]

You think Chandler and 8 Diaz. There's some talking 8Ds. I'd rather see Nate Diaz.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Okay. Either one. I mean. Yeah, I don't mind. You know, whatever. I will say Chandler was, you know, calling him, and I think that's okay. I don't.

[Podcast Host 2]

I don't know. That's my opinion.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Okay. Okay. Yeah. Let's have a Conor McGregor at the White House. Jon Jones versus somebody else. Doesn't matter who, but John Jones. Yeah, listen, Jon Jones is the goat. Doesn't matter what. Maybe some people say he appraised. He's the goat. He. The man deserved his respect. Man. He was champion a long time. Nobody ever done like this, like, stay, like, highest level.

[Podcast Host 2]

There's so many eras.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. You don't have nothing to prove. And like, now, yeah, Tom Aspino came up. Of course, he's a great champion, but, like, everybody talking about Jon Jones, it's.

[Podcast Host 2]

I agree with that.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

It's crazy how people disrespect him.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. It's. No, he don't deserve that. He should fight whoever he wants, whenever he wants and just, you know, just, you know, because if he wants, he can fight. If he has some other primary problems, you know, let him deal with.

[Podcast Host 2]

I told him this when we.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because we had Jones on the pod. And like, as a fan, like, you got to kind of do what Khabib did, too. Like, you gotta. You gotta let everyone know, like, I'M done. Which he did recently. But I think if you, if you don't announce your retirement, fans are always going to think like, yo, is he fighting? Is he fighting? Like Khabib said I'm done. And he was done.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, but Khabib case was different, bro. Khabib has some family deal like his mother tell him to to after his father died. Mother tell him to no more fight. And I think Khabib asked him ask her one permission to fight one more time. And he said I will done. And he, he just. He was man of his world with his mom. And that was his decision in that was his belief and he did, he did that. But me or any other fighters, I'm sure Kabi miss fighting too. But to be fighters and then to retire, it's very hard. We saw many fighter retired, but they still coming back. Even, even like my friend Chris Waitman, he retired, but now he's looking for some like grapplings. You know, he. You always will be miss it, right? Yeah, you wanna. Because you need some drive like to like something to. Drives you to wake up training. You need some opponent because when you used to it like always competition, competition, you know, and then one day day nobody want to fight with you. Nobody, you know, so nobody. You don't have like challenge in your life, you know, so it's going to be. You always will be fighting. You know, even 56 years old, Mike Tyson fought, right? He's 56.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

He's. Yeah. Imagine like you know, fighter. It's, it's hard to retire, you know what I'm saying? So, and then. But there is, but so much things going. I can only imagine how much going on with John Jones, you know, because even who I am just came champion. But it's, it's a lot of, a lot of. Lot of lot of things. A lot of challenges, a lot of opportunities and outside of training, you know, comes up. It's hard to balance everything.

[Podcast Host 2]

What do you want your reign to. To look like over the next few years and how long do you want to be fighting? Do you think about that or is that not something you think about?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

So my goal is to just do my best. You know, I don't, I don't over local overthink with that. And I don't wanna like, but I want to just do my best. Fight. Fight much as I can and read much as I much as I I can. I want more wins and more fight. And my goal is to fight until 50 years old in the UFC yeah, so 50.

[Podcast Host 2]

So you want to be the oldest champ of all time?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Time. I hope I can be champ the time, but no, I'm sure, like, listen, man, that is, it's, it's impossible to me stay champion. I'm 34 now. And then 16 more years stay champion. It's impossible. No, no, it's no impossible. You know, I like, you think like 90 of fans thinks that I can beat Ko Sanger, but I'm, I'm like 50. 50. You don't know, right? Yeah, you know, if I know, I will tell my friend Puminic now. Hey, Pumi, I'm gonna sell my house or use all my money and I can't bet. But you bet, you bet I'm gonna win or I'm gonna lose, but I don't know, you know what I'm saying? If I know, you know, I'm not, I don't like betting, but I'm not stupid, you know, if I know what I'm gonna do, you know, I tell my friends, not maybe my money, but I will tell you sell your car, bro, because I'm gonna win and then I have a double money. Yeah, like stuff like this. But we don't know this.

[Podcast Host 2]

But every fight you're going into, you don't, you really don't know.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Exactly. Exactly. Yes. Like if I knew I was gonna win last 13 fights, bro, like I will tell all my Georgian people, sell everything better. Me, I'm winning or losing, you know, and that way I will make my country people rich, you know. But I didn't know this.

[Podcast Host 2]

If you beat Sandhagen, you've cleared out the whole division, right? You've already beat Yan on, you beat Omar, you beat Sugar twice.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Let's say, I know you don't, don't want this to happen, but let's say Aljo does not become the champion. Would you ever move up if you cleared out?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Like if you keep winning, I'm down, I'm down to.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, because I've never heard you talk about that.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, yeah, so I just love Alexander Wakanowski, you know, and he's a great fighter and then he's a great guy. Yeah, he's a good, great fighter, but even better fight better person.

[Podcast Host 2]

He's a great.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, yeah, very good. Such. And I love, love, you know, he like the people like this have a beautiful family and yeah, he's a good dude, good man.

[Podcast Host 2]

So it's not someone that you'd want to fight?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Listen, I don't want to fight, but it's I mean it's. If I have to fight, we will fight. And if he wins the God for him, good for him, God bless him. And if I win the sport, you.

[Podcast Host 2]

Know, that'd be like more just pure competition that fight.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yes. But for now I'm not thinking like this. But I'm not saying no to future. You know, if it's. If really comes like now I have a Corey Sanhegan and after like I said, I want quick turnaround against Peterian and whoever will be next contender. If not then maybe think about.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because some people have that double champ aspirations, right. Like some people, it's like they're like I want two belts. Yeah, I've never heard you talk about that though. So that's not really a goal of yours.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, listen man, I. I'm comfortable to be champion of my weight class and I'm not chasing too many like, you know, I'm not like, you know, I mean yeah, everybody's different, you know. So yeah, eventually I will try to move up or I would like to some super fights also like different way class. And I also have in my mind I make 135. My own, you know, my own diet, my own weight cut and my. I can be myself. I don't need nobody's help. I make it. It's always sucks, always hard. I do it. But maybe if I hire nutrition special diet people and 125. 125 maybe it's possible, you know, when chili, you know, then maybe I go down. But like right now I'm good here. Like I said, I like I tell you man, I'm. I'm living in my life. I don't change nothing. I just need to trick only last last six days and I'm making weight.

[Podcast Host 2]

I saw what who's Hamza said he wanted to be triple champ, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. It's good for him if he wants man.

[Podcast Host 2]

What did you think of his last fight?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Very smart performance and I was I very impressed how he fight smart. You know a little bit striking exchanges against DU plus C and a straight takedown and stay on top. He wasn't hitting, hitting too hard and he was just holding position, dominate positions and he was controlling. Very good on top. He was not wasting too much energy. And then he was so, so smart and he very impressive win. But I was surprised, I was surprised about duplicity because he don't have enough jiu jitsu to escape the position to get up.

[Podcast Host 2]

You know the crucifix?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. No crusades. It's Hard and maybe you don't want to risk too much. And it was crucified escape. It's. It's hard. I understand a little bit. But. But like second round, third round, like how he was not moving his feet. He was just walking to Hamza to like shoot him. And then after that he was. He get take down. He was like not trying to like elbow escape or like a bottom leg out or stuff like this, you know, he was, I don't know, like, I guess he's good with crazy fights, take people down, like he being bullied, like to other fighters. But when he get bullied like he was down, then he don't do much.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's another guy that you look at and it's like, who the hell is going to beat that guy?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

He looked very good. But listen, it's mma and Khamzat is a great guy, great champion and very strong. But it's always can be somebody. Like some positions, like the guys, maybe they can escape. Like, there is actually some good, like a jujitsu guys in this division, like a dialogue Boral and even the floppy what is Hernandez. There is also, I believe even Strickland can escape and get up. You know, Strickland, you think, not just escape, you know, he knows how to defend, to take down, to get up, you know, the style makes fight, you know. So there is also some, like, I'm not saying they can beat him, but they give him like much problems, you know, Like, I mean, we see that duplass, you can't get up. He don't have enough jujitsu, you know, to get up. But I mean, I'm sure the. If Hamza will. Will fight other guys, he will have a little bit hard time, you know, because we see the Gilbert Bars has a good jiu jitsu. He was able to escape get up and. And then Hamza has to strike with him. That's why we see the like, only fight that they go distance, like, like.

[Podcast Host 2]

This, you know, I saw Hamza said the easiest way to pound for pound number one is to fight Islam. How do you think that fight would play out?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

But like, Hamza is in middleweight and.

[Podcast Host 2]

Islam, I think Islam said before that he wants to go to middleweight too.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Oh, I don't think this is possible, you know, because ufc, like, think about from UFC perspective, you know, let's say.

[Podcast Host 2]

Let's say, like, yeah, they don't want to put two superstars against each other unless it absolutely has to happen, right? Like Islam Volk. That was like undeniable. Where they both. Or vault cleaned out his entire division, like, twice.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, like, for example, I'm not saying, like, I say me, if I moved up now, let's say I fight. I fight Corey sanhegan, and then five, six months later, if I fight for the 145 belt, let's say if I win this belt, and then I need another five, six months to defend my belt. So this is one year later in my vehicles defending my belt, and I need another five, five, six months to defend another belt, you know, and then this is. I'm holding divisions, you know, that. That. That's why I don't think UFC would like to have this, or if I lost, then UFC lose one. Big names and stuff like this, you know, I don't think it's best for ufc.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, no, I know what you mean. Do the fans ever still try to test you, ever? I've seen that old video of when you ran into the crowd, loud. You think after that video, did people kind of get the message? Like, don't test me.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Everybody very respectful, and everybody, like, so cool. It was only one stupid guy.

[Podcast Host 2]

So what did he say at the time, bro?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Okay, what happened was I was in CGI or like, jujitsu tournament, whatever. And everybody's so nice, respectful. You know, that time I wasn't champion. But I know, you know, everybody knows me. I'm a UFC fighter and tough, tough contender. And people are coming, taking pictures, everybody shaking my hand, taking pictures, whatever. And. And now I'm watching much, and I'm. I'm sitting front row and I'm with some friends. And then from the crowd, I hear, mirab, Suga is your daddy.

[Podcast Host 2]

Like, damn.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

You know, thousands of people here. I look, I'm like, shut up. And they're like, what are you gonna do? He's, you know, all the way down, up, you know, and then, hahaha, he's like, laughing and he said, suga is your daddy. I'm like, shut up. Like, come here, say my face. You know, he said, yeah, yeah, Suga is your daddy. But I'm like, come here, come here. You know, he said, like, he's laughing, joking me. And then, like, he's just. Now everybody, like, pay attention because it's just me, him, like, talking loud, you.

[Podcast Host 2]

Know, you had to stand on business at that point.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Like, now, like, my head, like, I'm not. He's not coming. And he keeps talking. He says, disrespect me and the people, like. And. And I go. I just go. And then what did you do? You slap him, walk to him. And then he showed me. I said he's like this in the chair. Like no, no, no. I'm like bro, now no, no, now it's too late. You know, you, you already up like you should not mess up the fight. They just, you know, I don't did anything bad for you disrespect or whatever. You know why you disrespect me in front of the people or. And when I go and he like he don't even get up. He's a. And then like. And then I'm like they are standing to ready for what? You know, say now my face or I'm gonna push your slap your. You know, I was really thinking to maybe slip. Yeah. I will never punch somebody or hurt someone.

[Podcast Host 2]

But if they slap is more degrading anyway. Yeah, well, yeah, because if you slap them, it's like.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, exactly.

[Podcast Host 2]

It's like you're a right.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, I agree with this because I I the my English second language and yeah. O not you know what I mean? Yeah, exactly. Same same. Okay. Exact same mentality. Exactly.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because you slap him, he's not gonna do back. It's like I just slapped.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

He's like a. You know. Yeah, yeah. And I was gonna. But I'm talking about even, even street if somebody like I, I don't. I. I had some little bit little accidents, you know, I don't want to talk about. But I never like punch somebody or take down or knee or like, you know, saying like I don't want to really hurt somebody in the street or I don't you know, I, I, I control you know, if Maxim maybe take.

[Podcast Host 2]

Down or talk street fight.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. I mean you know, like back in the day or Let me finish this story like. Yeah. Talk about this reply still if you want. So anyway, when I walked with him and he was like hands up and he's like he, he's staying his chair and he's. You don't want to get up. And I'm like looking him like you and, and like I'm gonna you up if I want now. You know, bully him and then, and then I just grab his hair and just like this. Just leave him. You know, that was it. But yeah, street fighting man. I grew up in Georgia and I got in lots of street fights. You know, I used to don't like bully people or like something disrespect or like just people take advantage of you or something. And I used to punch in the face people, you know, like when I was A little kid and I used to get in a lot of fights. And then also we are from Georgia. And then like if some my friend got in the fights, we have to fight like a, like a town and town and school and school, school and this. The. Like your. Your. When you are a class, your class in class. And then like friend friends to other friends group and like so many, so many fights. And then even my village also I used to fight. Like I remember one time I. I had fights with three guys. They was fighting but I, I, you know, I was able to handle all three. And then I, I got you know, a lot of fighting. And then when I was nine, I moved to the from village to capital city. And you know, when you come from village in capital city, you know you got a lot of fights because either you are like just regular guy or if you are, if you want to be top guy, you have to fight. You know something. Because if you want to be part of the you know, like them group and them friendship, you have to fight. And then after they give you respect and then yeah, even, even in. In the town, you know, just. You have to prove, you know, just, you know, they may be bully for you, whatever and then to fight. But let me tell you one thing. But I start serious training when I was 13. I start a couple months. I started wrestling in Greco Roma wrestling. And then a couple months later I switched to judo. But I was like locked in. And since that I was not getting fighting street fights. After that I fought only three times in street. One time in Georgia, like when you have to fight. And then I think two times in America.

[Podcast Host 2]

Oh, two times since you moved here?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, only two times I fought in this.

[Podcast Host 2]

Who's dumb enough to like try you. Do they not know you're a fighter or they just like.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, I. I think they don't know. Like one time I fought.

[Podcast Host 2]

Damn, that's bad. Was that like a bar or something or like.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No, one time in New York City, like New Year, like two, two drunk guys. I, they. They said something disrespectful to me.

[Podcast Host 2]

Just out of nowhere.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No, what happened was I was with a girl in New York. Like New York City.

[Podcast Host 2]

You're on a date?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, dating.

[Podcast Host 2]

Where'd you take her?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

So it was actually it's funny that.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because you're low key. Like you're low key. Sniper. I feel you're good with the ladies. Loki.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

We should not talk about ladies. But so okay, I was on date, but. And then she was watching actually fights too, you know she was a little bit toxic girl.

[Podcast Host 2]

Why? How so?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

You know, she was very jealous, you know.

[Podcast Host 2]

Okay.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

But I understand because, you know, sometimes I open my Instagram or Facebook or text message front of her and then I just look.

[Podcast Host 2]

And you got caught on the Explore page.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, because, you know, I've been, I've been.

[Podcast Host 2]

Been there.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. I've ever fighted. Yeah. People. And I'm from Georgia and then like Georgian people, girls or guys, they love me and they send me a lot of hearts. I said I love back. You know what I'm saying? And then. So she was, she was jealous, you know, toxic.

[Podcast Host 2]

How'd she see your Instagram? Did she like look over?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I. I open front of her, like text message and whatever.

[Podcast Host 2]

Because I. I know girls be doing that now. Like, like they'd be like, yeah, their necks, like.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. They look in your face.

[Podcast Host 2]

I don't know how they do it. Like stretches.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

They saw, they feel it. You smile or you got text and if they feel.

[Podcast Host 2]

You gotta really like.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. Or just don't open. If you date, don't open. Yeah, don't open your phone.

[Podcast Host 2]

Okay. So you're on the date.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

And then actually it was New Year Eve. It was the PFL fights in New York. That was 2018, I believe. No, I believe. Or maximum 2019. And. And then anyway, so she got. After we left the fight, it was in the street and a lot of drunk people and it's New Year's Eve, you know.

[Podcast Host 2]

Oh, New Year's Eve, New York.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

New York City. Yeah. That's crazy. And it's a raining day and so she's got jealous and she just go back to hotel and I'm like, I don't want to go back to hotel, you know, I'm like, I'm a little bit disappointed.

[Podcast Host 2]

New Year's Eve too.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, I know.

[Podcast Host 2]

But she ruined New Year's over the ig.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yes. And I'm like by myself in the street and I'm on there like something like balcony to like not. Not get wet, you know, just a little bit rain, you know. And it's 30, 31 December and maybe I'm sure it's. It's like midnight something and. And the two dudes coming and they have one guy have a bag his hand and he asked me something like about like how I get there or how like if it's right. And they was arguing something and they asked me question. And that was like six, seven years ago. And at that time my English wasn't good. And also at New York City. I mean, of course, I don't want to give them wrong directions or something. And when they asked me question, I said, I have no idea, brother. I was very respectful, you know, like, almost like a geek, you know, Like a very nice guy. I was like a very respectful. And then when I tell him to, I have no idea, brother. You know? And he's like, shut up. And I'm like, bro. I'm like, I'm very. I'm like, already piece of my girl left me here in New Year's Eve in the middle of the street, New York, raining, raining. And now this guy telling me, shut up, like. And I'm like, I'm telling him, just go. I said, just go. Leave me alone. And so what are you gonna do about it? I'm like, just go. I'm like, just go. And then, oh, wow, you're gonna do something. And then. And I said, just go. And whatever. Arguing with him. And then he throw back on me, like, just beg. And then I don't remember he landed on me or no, but. And when I go. And then he just come and just like grab my face with his like, fingers. And then actually he's one. Yeah, I got my eye and I just. When I grab him and then just wrestling with his arm. And then now he feel the. Of course power and everything. But now he wants to run for me somehow. He run, like. And then no, he run for me. Like, I can't grab anymore. But now I wanted to fight. That's it. It's a fight happening. It's going. And. But now he turn around and he running. But now it's like, now I'm. I'm crazy. Now it's. And then I catch him and then make him like turn around and punching. I'm punching his face. And then I landed him couple punch. And I said, I'm like, it's enough, it's enough, you know. Now I turn around and now I'm like, I got to go, go. I gotta run from here. Because it's a New York City communist everywhere. Police patrols. I don't want to get in trouble with stupid people. And now I'm running. Now I turn around and I'm like going fast. I'm not running like crazy, but I'm going fast, fast. I'm taking fast steps, you know, just going other direction, you know, I'm just get out of here. And now second guy, his friend chased me and like, what are you doing, my friend? Like, you tough guy, blah, blah, blah. And like, I said, leave Me alone. I'm gonna you up, like, leave me alone. You know, and he's just, he just grabbing me and he wants to fight and I have to fight him, you know, like, it's, you know, I have beat his ass too. And then, you know, a couple parts I can like, it's just like, I think, yo, the first guy, I dropped him. So. And then, and, and then now, now I, I did like a little sweep with to him, you know, make him drop. And then now I really run. But now this, the first guy coming back and I'm like, get out of here. I'm gonna you up, like, leave me alone. And I said, no, no, no, no, sorry. You drop your, your, your cap, your head. And then. Sorry, Take it. Okay, okay, sorry. Like, you just. I don't need it. Like just 180.

[Podcast Host 2]

And then he ran away.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, no, I run. I don't know. Okay, then, you know, I run, like, really run from them, you know, because, like, no, they, they was okay. They was. They take a nap and they don't want nothing with me once they realize, you know, I was real deal. But. And then, yeah, so I, and then I run some other. And I go back to see with the hotel with her.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's hilarious.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, it's a stupid fight.

[Podcast Host 2]

It's not like all because of the girl too. That's kind of what triggered you.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, actually, other time I was in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. I used to go there every weekend because I used to live Long Island, New York, and Brighton be Brooklyn. That's where all the Georgian people listen. It's a nice beach there. And then Sunday night, it's a parking spa. Sunday day, you know, Sunday, Sunday they have a parking and parking spa. And it's public, whatever, it's free, whatever. And, but you have to wait if somebody pull up and then you can parking because otherwise you cannot find the parking, you know. So I'm like patient waiting, like my windows down, listening my music. And I'm there to go to the beach. My friends are there. Somebody pull up and I, I, I, I parking there. And then some lady come up and then tell his husband we were supposed to park there. And then this girl make pretty much his husband mad, you know, like the. And then. And I'm sitting in my car parking, whatever. And then, oh, this lady come like talking. I said, I don't care. Like, I ignore her, you know, I don't. Whatever. They. So then this girl go to talk his husband, like, Like, I don't know what she tell, but she make crazy his husband. And then some strong guy came, black dude, like even very muscular, like, you know, like. And he wants to fight me. And he started talking my windows down. And I'm like, oh, I hope he's not gonna punch me when I'm sitting, you know, because, because I'm sitting in my car and he's talking about me in the window. And when I'm sitting, sitting, of course he can punch me. But now I'm trying talking slowly and I go get up and then now I'm trying to fix like I don't want to fight, you know, I don't want to fight this strong dude, you know, street and nothing. I'm, you know, I'm a professional fighter. I don't wanna yeah to this. But he also started fight with me, pushing me and like, you know, I, I, I, I have my rule is this. So first I try avoid fighting. I'm a professional fighter. I don't want to fight.

[Podcast Host 2]

Use your words first.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, no, second I use my words, you know, Know if I have to fight, I have to bully them them or take them down or just make, you know, I have to fight, you know, that's so. And then I, I, I had to fight back. And, and then when I started punching him, he was actually strong. I cannot drop him because he was strong. I was really punching hard. And then. But now this girl get me, get r me this wife. And then now he was, hey, stop and stuff now you want to stop it now, it's already late. You make him crazy and whatever. So that was my to fight in us. I hope it's never happened again. And so the stupid fights.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah. All because of chicks too. Both of them.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, yeah, you're right.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's why Alo said he's his. He's getting married the day after your fight.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yes.

[Podcast Host 2]

So that you could go from that to.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Are you part of the like grooms party or.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course. I mean he invite me and everything.

[Podcast Host 2]

Where's the wedding?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Here in Vegas.

[Podcast Host 2]

In Vegas.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Oh, wow. Yeah. Aljo, imagine think about this. He's gonna corner me and then he has a wedding next day and. Yeah, so I have, it's, it's, it's, it's all good, you know, it's gonna be good one, you know it's gonna be good.

[Podcast Host 2]

You think you'll ever get married?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Of course. If I find a wiping material girl, I will.

[Podcast Host 2]

It's hard, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

It's very hard. Especially.

[Podcast Host 2]

Are you single right now? Are you seeing someone?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No. I'm single. Single. I'm single.

[Podcast Host 2]

Me too.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, good. It's good. But yeah, I'm really now I started paying attention to find a good wife material girl who I will have a family with and I will have a kids with because I want to have a kids and yeah. I don't want to have a kids with somebody some woman, you know. I want to have a kids with a very respectful woman because I will have a connection with her all my life, you know because we will have a kiss kids together. And I wanna. And the kids needs both you know kids needs father and mother. You know because I grow up like this. My even my parents was fighting each other for a stupid reason. For like they don't. You know, they don't understand sometime each other but a stupid argue. But you know when you have a father and you have a mother, this is the best for kids. And I think this is like. You know. But I started looking now and if I find it, yeah, that would be gold. It's gonna be so hard to settle down. But that's, that's the goal to just have.

[Podcast Host 2]

You think you can find a wifey in Vegas?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I don't think so. In Vegas? No, no.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's what I was trying to think of.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. No, Vegas is impossible.

[Podcast Host 2]

I find all the pretty girls here. They're bottle girls.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

I mean you notice that all the good looking girls in Vegas, they're from out of town.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yes.

[Podcast Host 2]

Or, or they're all bottle girls.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I mean I just met some young girl. She. She actually asked me like whatever. So. But you know, she no ask me what you know, I. You know, it was crazy. I. I have some meet and greets like commercial center. And then she take a picture with me.

[Podcast Host 2]

She pulled up to the meet and greet.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. And then she take a picture with me and then she said marab, you should get know me. I'm a good wife. Material girl. I'm like never, never her hair like this, you know. She said I'm a good girl. And then, and then, and then the security make her rush. Okay, you gotta go, you gotta go because next, next person has to come. And she said she's my mom, take a picture with my mom. Oh. Then I asked mom give me her, her phone number. I call her, contact her, whatever. But so anyway, so we. I want to get know her. I'm like that was very strange. Right? And then so the she was traditional girls. She said I'm religion like virgin and I wanna just only get married straight. And so I Guess it's possible. You know, there is, you know, every 21 century by every, every type of girl. But you know that, but it's also hard. Yes, she, she may be virgin, she may be traditional, but you have to understand her, you have to love her, you have to be bold. Same page, you know, that's very hard.

[Podcast Host 2]

Timing's everything too, right?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, exactly. Like now. Also my lifestyle is crazy, you know.

[Podcast Host 2]

But, and then how old are you now?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Now 34.

[Podcast Host 2]

I'm 31.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, I mean we have time, we have time. But we, we should look to like serious girls because we got to start looking. Yeah, we got to start looking because.

[Podcast Host 2]

Or at least we got to start thinking about looking.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I agree, bro. Because, because time goes fast and the family is the best, you know. And then so like 20 years later we will have a 20 year old kids, you know. And then when you look bad that would be most, most, most accomplished. You know, even you raise, you know, like next generation and maybe we could.

[Podcast Host 2]

Go on like a double date after you win your next fight.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

But double dates never works for me. But, but actually not trust but double date. But I was always trying to hook up like double date, you know, saying but if we go like, if really looking for like serious relationship double date.

[Podcast Host 2]

Maybe works, I'll tee us up with a nice double date.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, okay. But I needed like very respectful, traditional, like something girl. Okay. Because I like don't get me wrong, I like the all the, I love all the woman's I, I, I have, you know, whatever. So. Okay, but I love all the women's.

[Podcast Host 2]

I respect all just so I know then what's your biggest red flag in a girl?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

For me it's couple, you know, even pass is important for me.

[Podcast Host 2]

In what sense?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

I mean if she already have a couple relationship before, like it's, I mean depends the girl who scores. But like you know, that's depends her past, you know, I mean it's when you guys different, you know. But girl for girl, girl must respect herself, you know that she should not change many boyfriend or something like this. And also of course like loyal, you know, she has to be like loyal and then, and it's supportive. Like why material girl, you know, she has to be supportive, you know, because yeah, I will of course support my family and I will die for family. But yeah, you know, she has to be like wiping material because today I understand too. You know, we all chasing career and then everybody has a career and then today that's what we see. Everybody want to be influencer or want to be like, just maybe doctor, you know, she has to sacrifice for family, too, and take time and, you know, saying like, stuff like this, you know? So I. I don't think it's gonna be good for me a we free ball chasing career, especially now. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Because if. If 10, 15 years later, maybe it's different story, but now timing. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's like for me right now, too. I'm so busy. I'm traveling.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah. She has to understand a relationship, such a big commitment. Right. Yeah. She has to work for your schedule. Right. You know what I'm saying? Because if she's there, you there, it's not going to work in a distant relationship. I don't think it's good. I think I took too much, but.

[Podcast Host 2]

No, I like it. I think this is great.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

I appreciate it.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

It.

[Podcast Host 2]

Bro, I think we're going to head to the Contender Series now, right? Or.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

No.

[Podcast Host 2]

Do we still have time?

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Yeah, let's. Looking for some wipes.

[Podcast Host 2]

If you can find a wife with the Contender Series, then that's. I don't think that's ever happened in history. Right.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Maybe.

[Podcast Host 1]

You never know.

[Podcast Host 2]

All right, well, shout out to Morag. Wish you the best of luck in the fight. Thank you, bro. Appreciate you.

[Merab Dvalishvili]

Sam.