Merab Dvalishvili is currently enjoying a pleasant run in the UFC. Winning the bantamweight title from Sean O’Malley, the Georgian has not lost a bout since. While he has dominated the likes of Umar Nurmagomedov and Sean O’Malley twice, one thing has caught everyone’s eye. Dvalishvili is being particularly praised for his powerful punches and impeccable cardio. However, despite having so much in the tank, the bantamweight champion avoids sparring with Ilia Topuria.
Both Dvalishvili and Topuria are close friends. Often training together, the duo engages in friendly sparring. But owing to the incredibly powerful punches of Topuria, ‘The Machine’ hopes for the session to end fast. In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Dvalishvili revealed that he got dropped twice by Topuria in training. The bantamweight champion also accused Topuria of hitting him ‘too hard.’
“I can’t spar with him anymore, he hits too hard… he dropped me two times with a body shot… Every time I finished sparring with him I said ‘Thank God,’” said Dvalishvili.
Merab says Ilia Topuria dropped him twice during sparring:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 30, 2025
“I can’t spar with him anymore, he hits too hard… he dropped me two times with a body shot…
Every time I finished sparring with him I said ‘Thank God.’” 😭😭
🎥 @arielhelwani #UFCpic.twitter.com/gwThFmsxfK
It is no surprise that Dvalishvili has a problem with Topuria’s punches. It is these very punches that have taken the UFC realm by storm. Making his debut against Charles Oliveira, Topuria ended things in under three minutes. However, while Topuria is getting all the praise, Merab Dvalishvili’s in-octagon antics cannot be underestimated as well.
Joe Rogan Calls Merab Dvalishvili A ‘Freak’
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has been watching fighters for a long time. Thus, when he gets surprised by someone, it surely holds a lot of weight. Recently, Dvalishvili went up against Umar Nurmagomedov. While the Dagestani dominated the initial rounds, Dvalishvili showed tremendous skills to come back and win the fight. He also dominated Sean O’Malley by submitting ‘Suga.’ And looking at these antics, Rogan cannot help but call the Georgian a ‘freak.’
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“That guy is insane. Everyone who’s been involved in the sport for as long as I have is blown away by it. The guy is a freak. When he gets in the ring, no one can match his cardio, no one can match his pace. He melts the greatest of the greats,” said Rogan.
🇬🇪🔥Joe Rogan praises Merab Dvalishvili's insane cardio and relentless pace — "He melts the greatest of the greats"
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 17, 2025
"That guy is insane. Everyone who's been involved in the sport for as long as I have is blown away by it. The guy is a freak. When he gets in the ring, no one can… pic.twitter.com/tZnENFR02J
Thus, with things looking rosy for both the Georgians, it now remains to be seen what the future holds.
Also Read: Umar Nurmagomedov Breaks Silence on Merab Dvalishvili Loss: “I Lost, And That’s That”
