UFC Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili recently opened up about his deep respect for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu during an appearance on The Simple Man podcast. The Georgian star, known for his relentless wrestling style, expressed admiration for the effectiveness and danger of high-level Jiu Jitsu practitioners.
“I give Jiu Jitsu so much respect,” Dvalishvili said. “I think it’s the most dangerous martial art because if a good Jiu Jitsu guy gets you, the game is over. You have to at least know how to defend.”
Despite his background in Judo and wrestling, Dvalishvili acknowledges the unique challenges posed by skilled Jiu Jitsu players in MMA. He emphasized the importance of being well-rounded and adapting techniques for the specific demands of mixed martial arts competition.
The champion also discussed his training regimen, which includes regular Jiu Jitsu sessions to complement his wrestling-heavy approach. Dvalishvili trains in Las Vegas, where he has access to high-level training partners across multiple disciplines.
“I love doing Jiu Jitsu,” Dvalishvili said. “Especially in Vegas, I love training Jiu Jitsu here. It gives me so much.”
While known primarily for his dominant wrestling and cardio, Dvalishvili’s appreciation for Jiu Jitsu highlights the evolving nature of MMA and the importance of being well-versed in all aspects of ground fighting.
