Merab Dvalishvili fighting style: Is Georgian UFC star combat sambo champion like Khabib Nurmagomedov?
Know all about the bantamweight contender Merab Dvakishvili's fighting style as well as his combat sambo roots.
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Merab Dvalishvili uses Combat Sambo as his fighting style (Image via UFC.com/Bloody Elbow)
Merab ‘The Machine’ Dvalishvili is a name that every MMA enthusiast has come to know of. The UFC bantamweight has made waves with his relentless wrestling and ground-and-pound attack. Merab Dvalishvili’s fighting style has piqued interest among MMA fans and the effect of combat sambo training also remains under discussion.
The fighting style of Merab Dvalishvili primarily involves high-volume striking and takedown attempts. It primarily emerges from the combat sambo. It is a form of martial arts that fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Find out more details about the fighting style of Merab Dvalishvili.
What is Merab Dvalishvili fighting style?
Merab Dvalishvili’s fighting style foundation is wrestling, having trained in the discipline since childhood. This includes judo, sambo, and various folk styles. He represented Georgia in international competitions before transitioning to MMA.
Dvalishvili uses his wrestling to overwhelm opponents like the retired great Khabib Nurmagomedov. His timing and explosiveness allow him to secure takedowns swiftly. His opponents struggle to stop his powerful double-leg shots and trips.
On the mat, the Georgian fighter unleashes nasty ground strikes. He swarms opponents in top control with fierce punches and elbows. This pressure breaks his opponent’s will as they exert energy trying to escape.
‘The Machine‘ has also developed solid stand-up skills. He throws hard overhand rights and lead hooks. While not a knockout striker, his hands set up his takedowns well. Dvalishvili is also known for having an excellent gas tank. He pushes a fast pace from start to finish. His cardio allows him to drown opponents until the final bell.
Merab Dvalishvili Combat Sambo training and comparison to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s fighting style
Merab Dvalishvili’s Combat Sambo training remains a boon for his well-rounded abilities. The Russian martial arts blends wrestling, judo, and striking into one. It focuses on throwing, submissions, and fighting in multiple ranges. He competed in the World Sambo Championship in the 68 kg category in South Korea in 2019. He lost in the finals to Russian Stepan Kobenov, placing second.
Like retired UFC lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov, ‘The Machine’ uses his sambo skills to control fights. Both men time takedowns excellently and punish foes on the mat. Their sambo base gives them great transitions and the ability to mix wrestling and striking smoothly.
How has the fighting style of Merab Dvalishvili fared in the UFC?
Dvalishvili relies more on his hands than Nurmagomedov does. While less refined as a striker, he engages more on the feet. Dvalishvili also attempts a wider variety of takedowns, while Nurmagomedov favors taking down an opponent against the cage.
On the other hand, Dvalishvili uses single-leg, double-leg, trips, pick-up, and slam. He has the record for the most takedown attempts in UFC history. Not a single fighter in the UFC has outwrestled the bantamweight star in the UFC. The Georgian fighter has outwrestled experienced wrestlers like Cody Stamann and Ricky Simon.
In 2023, the ‘Machine’ overwhelmed former champion Petr Yan over five rounds. At UFC 298, he fought Olympic gold medal winner Henry Cejudo. Merab dominated Cejudo in the wrestling department. Impressively, Cejudo could not match Dvalishvili in the wrestling department.
Dvalishvili remains head and shoulders above the rest in the division. It was showcased in his UFC 306 title winning performance in the Sphere. Sean O’Malley had no answer for him. At this point, Combat Sambo remains the better-grappling base in MMA.
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Zaid Quraishi
(718 Articles Published)