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]
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.
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.
- Merab does not have a head coach who oversees all his training.
- 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]
- Merab and friend Aljamain Sterling often train together, especially for fight camps, mimicking each other's opponents to prepare.
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]
- Praises Aljo’s dominant win; thinks he deserves another title shot.
- 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]
- Sees every next opponent as the toughest yet, respects Corey’s tricky style and hunger.
- 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]
- Pushes back on easy-favorite narratives:
- 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]
- Most personal fight due to perceived disrespect, rooted in Umar’s family connections and public trash talk.
- 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]
- The Yan fight was especially personal because of Russian disrespect to Georgia and political history.
- 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]
- Fighters who disrespect him bring out his most intense performances.
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]
- Praises the country’s cleanliness and infrastructure, notes the intense language barrier.
- 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]
- Calls it the best Performance Institute gym globally.
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.
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]
- Respects O’Malley’s talent and star power but thinks wrestlers are a bad matchup for him.
- 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]
- Describes the brutal nature of weight cutting:
- 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]
- Disagrees with Khabib’s opinion, says Ilya has superior takedown defense.
- Islam Makhachev vs. Topuria:
- Thinks Ilya could finish Islam if they fought.
“But I believe he can finish Islam.” — Merab [33:08]
- Thinks Ilya could finish Islam if they fought.
- 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]
- Praises his smart performance but notes others with strong jiu-jitsu could give him problems.
- Super Fights & Moving Up/Down:
- Not chasing “double champ” status but open to super fights or eventually moving up/down in weight.
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]
- Sees benefit in greater exposure and less piracy; admits pay-per-view points aren’t significant income unless you are a massive draw.
- 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]
- Wants to compete on this historic event, and notes he’s the only American citizen male champ.
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]
- Handles heckling with humor and restraint, shares a story about nearly confronting a disrespectful fan at an event.
- 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]
- 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.
- 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]
- Open about struggles of finding a “wife material” woman, especially with current lifestyle demands.
- 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]
- Wants a future filled with family and fighting, but doesn’t believe in overplanning results in fighting.
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]
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.