(Video) UFC Legend Demetrious Johnson Taps to Save ‘Ribcage’ from Merab Dvalishvili’s Deadly Choke 

UFC flyweight GOAT Demetrious Johnson submits to the unconventional submission from the bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.

(Video) UFC Legend Demetrious Johnson Taps to Save ‘Ribcage’ from Merab Dvalishvili’s Deadly Choke 

Demetrious Johnson couldn't believe how easily Merab Dvalishvili submitted him (via X)

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The UFC featherweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is considered one of the roster’s most active fighters, consistently delivering dominant performances. The Georgian has already fought twice in 2024 and is now preparing for his anticipated return at UFC 320. In the co-main event, Dvalishvili faces top contender Cory Sandhagen, with many fans favoring him to secure another victory.

Ahead of his upcoming fight, Merab Dvalishvili is currently in the middle of a rigorous training camp with intense sparring sessions. He is widely recognized for his relentless cardio and elite wrestling skills, which have earned him multiple impressive victories.

Recently, Dvalishvili trained alongside UFC flyweight GOAT Demetrious Johnson, engaging in challenging grappling drills to sharpen his techniques further. Johnson shared the video on his YouTube and talked in detail about how he got brutally choked by the bantamweight champion.

I was caught off guard and impressed with Merab’s grappling. He jumped my guard, went straight into a head-and-arm, and got me in this neck crank—it felt like it was going to blow my ribs out. I was trying to get small…I was trying to do that, squeeze my head out the back. But then he kept pulling—and I could see him laughing and smiling at people while doing it. He was just smiling and having a good (expletive) time, and I (expletive) tapped.

Demetrious Johnson via YouTube 

While Johnson is an exceptionally skilled BJJ practitioner, Dvalishvili’s relentless tenacity has challenged some of the bantamweight’s biggest names. His impressive resume includes dominant victories over elite fighters such as Petr Yan, Jose Aldo, Henry Cejudo, and several others. Despite being an Olympic wrestler, Cejudo was lifted and slammed by Dvalishvili during their intense UFC fight.

Demetrious Johnson retired from professional fighting last year and has since shifted his primary focus toward content creation. He maintains a large, dedicated audience and often collaborates with UFC superstars to showcase and test his elite BJJ skills. Earlier this year, he casually wrestled against former pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev and got submitted twice with a D’Arce choke. 

However, against Merab Dvalishvili, Johnson was surprised by the incredible speed and precision with which the Georgian attempted the choke. Previously, the ‘Machine’ faced criticism for not finishing opponents, but in his last bout, he successfully submitted Sean O’Malley. Dvalishvili aims to maintain this dominant form and momentum as he prepares for his upcoming UFC title fight.

Merab Dvalishvili shares his frustration with Umar Nurmagomedov 

Merab Dvalishvili is widely recognized for his wholesome personality and entertaining online skits, which have gained him significant fan admiration. He is also infamous for extreme stunts, including doing pull-ups from cliffs and diving headfirst into frozen lakes. Generally respectful and humble, Dvalishvili’s attitude dramatically changes whenever he is asked about his rivalry with Umar Nurmagomedov.

Merab Dvalishvili fighting Umar Nurmagomedov
Merab Dvalishvili fighting Umar Nurmagomedov (via X)

Merab Dvalishvili fought Nurmagomedov earlier this year at UFC 311 and won the fight via unanimous decision. However, during the whole fight week, the trash-talking and bad blood between the duo were quite palpable. In a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, the Georgian shared why he started to dislike Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protege. 

After the UFC gave him a high-ranked guy, Cory Sandhagen, he started talking (expletive) and being disrespectful to me and some other fighters. To my face, he said, ‘You’re old, Dominick Cruz is old, Henry Cejudo is old, I wanna fight you.’ I said, ‘I wanna fight for the belt, not fight you down in the rankings.’ He’s spoiled.

Merab Dvalishvili via Daniel Cormier’s YouTube Channel

During their fight, Dvalishvili mocked Nurmagomedov in the later rounds while effectively dismantling the Dagestani dominance in the UFC. Months after their clash, the rivalry remains active, with Dvalishvili openly wishing for Nurmagomedov to lose his upcoming fight against Mario Bautista. If they meet again, the Georgian is aiming to decisively finish Nurmagomedov without leaving any doubt.

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