Merab Dvalishvili’s relentless cardio: Could he be the next bantamweight champ?

In the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA), cardio has been described as the “silent killer. ” This is a quality that can make or break a fighter even when he has the skills and muscle power. There is no better example of this than Georgia’s Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili is a known cardio machine with a non-stop pressure and suffocating grappling making him an elite bantamweight contender. The question now is: so is he the next bantamweight champion of the UFC?

 In this piece, we will explore Merab Dvalishvili’s journey in the UFC, his cardio and grappling, the problems he poses to the current bantamweight division, and his potential of becoming the 135-pound champion. To evaluate his possibility of being the next bantamweight champion, we will also make a comparison of him with other contenders and champions of the division, present and former.

 The Emergence of Merab Dvalishvili

 Merab Dvalishvili was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, and started practicing martial arts from a young age and he practiced judo, sambo, and wrestling. Upon arriving in the United States, he switched to MMA, and with his aggressive pressure-oriented approach, he gained the recognition. Dvalishvili’s initial stint in the UFC was not very impressive and he was defeated in his first two fights in the organization. But it was not long before the man’s determination and his commitment to work were to be seen.

 Dvalishvili got his big win in 2019 when he submitted Terrion Ware and since then, the Georgian fighter has not looked back. His UFC record now stands at an impressive 16-4, with the highlight of his performances against some of the best bantamweight talents in the world such as José Aldo, John Dodson and Marlon Moraes. It is, however, Dvalishvili’s ability to keep up the pace from the first round to the last second of the fight that makes him stand out from the rest of the fighters, tiring even the toughest and most dangerous opponents.

 His constant pressure along with a very good wrestling background has made Dvalishvili a very tough opponent for anyone who shares the cage with him. But beyond his individual victories, his rise in the division raises a tantalizing question: can his cardio help him get the bantamweight title?

 Unpacking Dvalishvili’s Cardio: The Machine’s Greatest Weapon

 When discussing Merab Dvalishvili, it’s impossible to ignore the central aspect of his fighting style: this is the case with his cardio. Dvalishvili has been rightly nicknamed “The Machine” because he has incredible endurance and the fighting tempo. This is due to the fact that he can force his opponents to the ground and still have enough stamina to stand up and fight is a skill that has been developed through the years of hard work.

 1. The Facts and Figures of Cardiovascular Training.

 From Merab Dvalishvili’s fight record, one can see the numerous times he has been taking the fight to his opponents. He has the record of the most takedowns in a single bantamweight fight in the UFC and made 13 takedowns in his match against Gustavo Lopez in 2020. In fact, his overall takedown stats are staggering: Dvalishvili has a strike rate of 6. He averages 55 takedowns per 15 minutes, and that places him among the best wrestlers in the history of the UFC bantamweight division.

 But it’s not only the frequency of takedowns that is striking – it’s the frequency with which Dvalishvili works at. During his bout against Cody Stamann at UFC on ESPN 23, Dvalishvili scored five takedowns and threw more than fifty significant strikes and engaged in the forward pressure throughout the whole fight. His striking and wrestling is on a different level and he is not a gasser like many of the other fighters in the division.

 2. Conditioning as a Skill

 While most of the fighters are well conditioned to enter the fights, Dvalishvili takes cardio to another level. Cardiovascular endurance is not just an ability he possesses, it is an ability he uses effectively. He keeps on putting pressure on his opponents which makes them get tired both mentally and physically and hence makes them make mistakes. This exhausts even the most experienced fighters, who are usually not prepared for an opponent that doesn’t appear to be tired.

 Dvalishvili trains at the Serra-Longo Fight Team and his coaches are Matt Serra and Ray Longo, and he has built a tremendous level of fitness in his training regime. He does a lot of high-intensity drills that simulate the actual fight and focuses on the duration of the fight and the ability to maintain a high work rate when grappling, striking and defending. Unlike many fighters who slow down as the fight goes on, Dvalishvili appears to be getting stronger, and that is due to his training.

 3. The Psychological Advantages of the Relentless Pressure.

 It is not only a physical boost but also a psychological one that will work in Dvalishvili’s favour. A lot of fighters who are accustomed to dictating the rhythm and range of the fight can be easily frustrated by Dvalishvili’s constant movement and pressure. It puts pressure on the opponents and makes them play the game at his tempo, which leads to the rivals’ blunders due to fatigue or desperation.

 This is why fighters like José Aldo, a legendary striker, and former featherweight champion, had no answer to the pressure that Dvalishvili applies. At UFC 278, Aldo could not do what he usually does because Dvalishvili put pressure on him and threw strikes and takedowns, even if he couldn’t always finish the takedown. This constant pressure annoyed Aldo and took away his stand up game.

 Wrestling Dominance: A Full Game for the Bantamweight Division.

 However, cardio is Dvalishvili’s bread and butter, and wrestling is not far behind in terms of importance. A convert from sambo and judo, Dvalishvili has easily translated his grappling skills into MMA and has emerged as one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the UFC’s bantamweight division.

 1. Chain Wrestling and Scrambles

 Another feature of Dvalishvili’s wrestling is his chain wrestling which is one of the most effective techniques in wrestling. Despite the fact that the first attempt of takedown may be ineffective Dvalishvili will smoothly move to the second takedown attempt or clinch and thus will not let his opponents regain balance. This is important in MMA because fighters have to be ready to switch from stand-up to ground fighting to clinch fighting.

 In the first round of the fight against Marlon Moraes at UFC 266, Dvalishvili was in a lot of trouble as Moraes dropped him. But wrestling was always in the blood of Dvalishvili and he managed to get the takedown and control the fight on the ground. This shows that he has a lot of confidence in his wrestling and cardio especially when he doesn’t get easily angered.

 Dvalishvili’s wrestling is not just about keeping his opponents at bay but to be attacking all the time. Through the use of scrambles and transitions, Dvalishvili is able to wear out his opponents, which is always a key factor towards the final victory. His wrestling coupled with his cardio makes him a more dangerous fighter as the fight goes on as his opponent’s chances of winning decrease.

 2. Ground-and-Pound and Control

 Dvalishvili is famous for his takedown attempts and his ground and pound can also be considered as one of his strong sides of wrestling. Once Dvalishvili gets a takedown, he doesn’t let his opponent breathe and keeps on applying pressure. He does possess good takedown defense and is very good at controlling opponents on the ground and landing strikes making him a complete grappler.

 Against Cody Stamann, Dvalishvili was able to use his wrestling to control the position and keep Stamann backed up for most of the bout. Stamann is a very good wrestler himself, but he was on his back foot for the entirety of the fight and could not take Dvalishvili out of his pressure.

 This is because Dvalishvili has a great wrestling game which he uses to shut down his opponents’ striking attacks in the bantamweight division. There are not many fighters who can match his work rate and there are even less who can handle his chain wrestling and ground game.

 The Bantamweight Division: A Large Field of Candidates

 First of all, it is necessary to look at the current state of the bantamweight division and the possibilities of Dvalishvili becoming the next champion of this weight category.The bantamweight division is perhaps one of the most talent-rich divisions in the UFC and many contenders are eyeing the championship.

 1. Aljamain Sterling: The Current Champion:

 Sterling is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion and Dvalishvili is his training partner and friend which makes him a potential title challenger. Dvalishvili and Sterling are both part of the Serra-Longo Fight Team and both the fighters have confirmed that they have no intentions of fighting each other.

 This creates an interesting scenario for the division as Dvalishvili is on the path of becoming the title challenger at the same time when Sterling holds the title. Sterling who is known for his grappling and submission has been able to defend his title against the likes of Petr Yan and T. J. Dillashaw. This is because as long as Sterling is still the champion, there is no way that Dvalishvili would challenge him for the title and therefore, Dvalishvili’s title shot might only come through if Sterling either relinquishes the belt or loses it.

 2. Petr Yan: A Fighter Whose Worth Has To Be Proven.

 Petr Yan who is the former bantamweight champion is still a threat in the division. As a boxer, pressure, and fight IQ, Yan has been the best in the division for the last several years. The first defeat by disqualification to Sterling and the second defeat to Sterling through split decision has made him have the feeling that he has a score to settle.

 Dvalishvili and Yan have had some history in the past and a fight between the two would be a good one. Yan’s striking and defensive wrestling would be a new experience for Dvalishvili, but the Georgian’s pressure could be the way to win the fight against Yan in five rounds.

 3. Cory Sandhagen: The Dynamic Striker

 Cory Sandhagen is also a fighter who is competing in the same weight class as Garbrandt which is the bantamweight. A striker with a very unorthodox style and a very innovative mindset, Sandhagen has faced some of the division’s best talents including Sterling, Yan, and Dillashaw. The reach, the mobility, and the variety in the striking of Sandhagen will be a problem to anyone in the division.

 But Dvalishvili will keep on applying pressure and wrestling which can be very problematic to Sandhagen. It was also an issue for Sandhagen to defend against Dillashaw’s wrestling when they fought and Dvalishvili can take note of it for future fights they may have. If Dvalishvili could close the distance and engage in the grappling, he should be able to take a clear victory over Sandhagen.

 4. Sean O’Malley: The New Hope

 Sean O’Malley, the exciting and flamboyant striker, has been climbing up the bantamweight ladder rather swiftly. O’Malley, who is known for his power and unorthodox striking has always been entertaining with his finishes and personality. But there are concerns on how O’Malley would perform against top-notch wrestlers such as Dvalishvili.

 If Dvalishvili ever faced O’Malley, Dvalishvili’s wrestling and pressure would be the deciding factors in the fight. O’Malley’s stand up and movement would be a problem for Dvalishvili, but if Dvalishvili could get inside O’Malley’s range and take the fight to the ground he would be able to negate O’Malley’s striking and control the fight on the ground.

 Is Dvalishvili the Future Bantamweight Champion?

 As to the possibility of Merab Dvalishvili becoming the next UFC bantamweight champion it is important to consider the current state of the division. However, according to his skill set and cardio, as well as his recent fights, it is possible to state that Dvalishvili has all the chances to become a champion.

 1. Strengths That Could Lead to The Championship Gold.

 Dvalishvili’s cardio, wrestling, and control over the flow of a bout make him a difficult challenge for many of the division’s best. His cardio helps him to be active in the first five rounds of the fight that is important in championship fight. His wrestling and chain grappling can shut down even the most aggressive kickers and take them out of their game and make them play defensively and tired.

 Also, Dvalishvili’s toughness and determination have been seen in almost every fight of his UFC career. In the fights where he was put in danger like the fight against Marlon Moraes, Dvalishvili demonstrated the ability to comeback and dictate the fight, which only enhances his chances of becoming a champion.

 2. Potential Challenges

 Despite the fact that Dvalishvili has numerous advantages, there are some issues that may become the obstacles on the way to the title. So long as Aljamain Sterling remains the bantamweight champion, Dvalishvili will not get an opportunity to fight for the title. This particular scenario may prompt Dvalishvili to either have to be patient and seize his chance or maybe even look for a new division.

 Furthermore, the bantamweight division is one of the most talented divisions in the sport with each fighter coming with their own style of fight. Opponents such as Petr Yan, Cory Sandhagen, and Sean O’Malley present various threats that Dvalishvili will have to stop to become the champion. These aspects of his game, cardio and wrestling are considered to be world class but he will have to further develop his striking and his takedown defense in order to compete with the best of the division.

 3. Timing and Opportunity

 The timing is usually one of the most important aspects in the career of any fighter on his way to the title. Despite that, Dvalishvili has the tools to be a champion, and the timing of his title shot will depend on the developments in the division for the next year. If Sterling either loses or vacates the title Dvalishvili could be next in line for a shot at the gold.

 At the same time, Dvalishvili has to keep on winning and establish himself as the main contender for the title in the division. Every win that he gets brings him closer to a title shot and when the time comes, Dvalishvili will be more than willing to take it.

Conclusion: Is He a Champion in Waiting?

Merab Dvalishvili’s cardio, wrestling, and work rate make him a threat in the bantamweight division and a force to be reckoned with. It has been a meteoric rise for the fighter and his recent results against some of the toughest competition in the division have made him a bona fide contender for the UFC title.

As of now, the bantamweight division looks somewhat different, especially with Dvalishvili’s friend Aljamain Sterling holding the title; however, it is impossible not to notice that the Georgian has all the chances to become the next UFC bantamweight champion. His work ethic, cardio, and wrestling could make him the champion of the division and when the time comes “The Machine” could very well become the UFC champion.