Despite Friendship in UFC, Aljamain Sterling Challenges Merab Dvalishvili to Wrestling Match

Aljamain Sterling teases potential scrap against longtime teammate Merab Dvalishvili after electric win at RAF 06.

Despite Friendship in UFC, Aljamain Sterling Challenges Merab Dvalishvili to Wrestling Match

Aljamain Sterling calls out Merab Dvalishvili for RAF wrestling (via Reddit)

In Short
  • Aljamain Sterling is open to a wrestling match with teammate Merab Dvalishvili under the RAF banner.
  • Both fighters have a strong friendship and have previously refused to fight each other in MMA.
  • Sterling is pursuing a title shot in the featherweight division while Dvalishvili recovers from a recent title loss.

Many UFC fighters have formed friendships that evolved into brotherhood through years of shared training and competition. One of the most notable bonds on the roster is between longtime teammates Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili. While they have repeatedly shut down speculation about fighting each other in MMA, Sterling now appears open to a wrestling match under the RAF banner.

Sterling and Dvalishvili have trained for years at the Serra-Longo Fight Team in Long Island, led by coaches Matt Serra and Ray Longo. They have served as cornermen during each other’s championship fights, remaining closely aligned throughout their title runs. That shared journey has strengthened their connection beyond typical teammates, evolving into a bond regarded within the sport as familial.

Sterling recently made his Real American Freestyle debut, defeating former UFC champion Benson Henderson by technical fall at RAF 06. Dvalishvili has also signed with the promotion and is scheduled to compete at RAF 08 in April, placing both teammates under the same banner. That development led to Sterling being asked whether he would consider facing the Georgian star in a wrestling match.

I feel like it might get a little chippy because I know how he is and I know how I am. That’s why we wouldn’t fight, because I know it wouldn’t end well. If he would be down to do it, I would be down to do it too.

Aljamain Sterling via YouTube

There was a period during their championship runs when the UFC explored booking a fight between the two teammates. Both Sterling and Dvalishvili refused the matchup, maintaining they would not compete against each other. Their decision drew criticism from UFC CEO Dana White, who has maintained that fighters are expected to face any opponent they are offered, creating tension between merit and loyalty.

Their friendship has remained evident even during major personal milestones and high-pressure moments. Sterling cornered Dvalishvili at UFC 320 just one day before his own wedding, underscoring the depth of their commitment to each other’s careers. ‘Funk Master’ remained actively involved throughout fight week and played a significant role in Dvalishvili’s impressive title defense against Cory Sandhagen.

While a wrestling match between them has yet to materialize in Real American Freestyle, their UFC paths are moving in different directions. Aljamain Sterling is working through a stacked featherweight division as he seeks to establish himself at the new weight. Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili is recovering after his UFC 323 title loss to Petr Yan. For now, a crossover remains secondary to their separate UFC pursuits.

Aljamain Sterling goes off on a heated rant at the UFC after RAF 06 win

The UFC featherweight division has been rocked by unrest following the UFC 325 rematch between champion Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. Contenders such as Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy entered the discussion with stronger or unbeaten records than Lopes. The decision intensified debate about divisional merit, with Aljamain Sterling also vocal about his own title case.

Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling (via X)

Sterling’s recent featherweight run includes a loss to Movsar Evloev, along with wins over Calvin Kattar and a dominant showing against former title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai. After the Ortega victory, he pushed for a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski. That pursuit spilled into his Real American Freestyle 6 post-match interview, where he voiced frustration over the divisional landscape.

I’ve been doing this for a longtime and have been with the company since 2014. I have been calling my shot, defending my belt, the most in the bantamweight division tied with a couple of greats. Give me my title shot, I deserve a title shot, OG vs OG. Diego Lopes gets a rematch and goes out there and somehow does worse after doing decent in the first fight. Yeah I don’t have knockout power, that’s never been my game. I am smarter than a lot of these guys out there. I’ll put on a good show for the fans.

Aljamain Sterling via MMA Fighting

Sterling also vented frustration over the UFC 327 matchup between former Bellator fighters Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico, a fight positioned prominently on the card. He has also questioned the broader promotional direction while calling out Dana White over championship matchmaking decisions. Sterling maintained that title bouts should consistently feature the most deserving contenders in the division.

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