MMA Coach Reveals When UFC was Against Merab Dvalishvili’s Championship Dreams

Popular coach John Wood reveals that the UFC was against bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili during the early stages of his career.

MMA Coach Reveals When UFC was Against Merab Dvalishvili’s Championship Dreams

Merab Dvalishvili faced hurdles during early career (via Forbes)

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In the ever-evolving world of mixed martial arts, few fighters have redefined themselves as effectively as UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. Once seen primarily as a relentless grappler, the Georgian athlete gradually transformed his fighting style and reputation. Over time, he earned recognition as one of the most dominant forces in the bantamweight division.

He moved to the United States when he was 21 and joined the Serra-Longo fight team. Dvalishvili made his UFC debut in 2017 and lost in his first two fights in the promotion. However, after his unanimous decision victory against Terrion Ware in 2018, the Georgian native has been on an impressive 14-fight win streak against the likes of Petr Yan, Jose Aldo, and Henry Cejudo.

There were many tensions and hurdles that Dvalishvili faced on the way to championship status. Among those who have addressed this tension is his coach, John Wood, who has made statements that add another dimension to the conversation. Wood recently spoke about the hurdles faced by the Georgian champion in an interview with popular combat sports journalist Mike Bohn.

The UFC didn’t want that guy to be champion; they really didn’t. But Merab turned himself into an entertaining fighter… almost knocking guys out, submitting Sean O’Malley, and running through opponents who were supposed to be more skilled, bigger, and longer. He’s just doing special things right now.

John Wood via Mike Bohn

Dvalishvili trains under Wood at the Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wood was vocal about the changes Dvalishvili would make ahead of his fight against Cory Sandhagen to provide a more entertaining fight for the fans. The ‘Machine,’ known for his relentless grappling, showcased exactly what Wood spoke about and almost knocked out Sandhagen in the second round of their bout at UFC 320.

Outside of competition, Dvalishvili has built a strong fanbase thanks to his charismatic social media presence. He frequently shares glimpses of his intense and often unconventional workouts, including training in extreme conditions or performing daring physical stunts. These moments, paired with his upbeat personality and respect for fellow athletes, have made him a fan favorite across MMA audiences.

Taken together, Wood’s statements contribute to the broader narrative that Merab Dvalishvili’s journey has sometimes been contested not only in the cage but also in how others viewed his progression. While implicit and direct criticisms of the promotion surface through these remarks, they also underscore Wood’s conviction that his fighters’ performance will ultimately speak louder than the politics.

Merab Dvalishvili reveals the setbacks of being an MMA fighter

Fighting at the highest level in mixed martial arts requires both skill and adaptability, and even elite competitors face challenges in training that mirror the unpredictability of actual bouts. While sometimes a fighter may be the epitome of greatness, the most minor mistakes can be dangerous in the octagon. Merab Dvalishvili recently highlighted the unforgiving nature of the sport of MMA.

Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili (via Bloody Elbow)

Dvalishvili recently spoke about how losses in the octagon do not define a fighter’s prowess outside the cage in the post-fight press conference. He took the example of UFC bantamweight Patchy Mix, who was a dominant champion in Bellator, but has failed to gain a victory in the UFC. Dvalishvili revealed that this showcased the unforgiving nature of the sport.

Everybody’s beatable; we all lose in the gym, like with some training partners. We saw that Patchy Mix just lost the fight, but this guy many times submit me in the gym you know. It’s good, but sometimes the fight doesn’t go your way. It’s the fight business, everybody is beautiful. Good luck to fight with me, but of course, everybody has a chance.

Merab Dvalishvili via UFC 320 post fight press conference

The broader takeaway from Merab Dvalishvili’s perspective is the balance between humility and confidence required in MMA. Recognizing that all fighters have weaknesses and strengths, he maintained that preparation, adaptability, and resilience are essential for competing at the elite level. His approach underlined that while training setbacks are inevitable, they serve as tools for growth and improvement.

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