When UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili steps into the octagon, fans often assume his relentless takedowns come from wrestling. But Dvalishvili has been clear about his roots:
“People think I’m a wrestler, but I’m a judo guy. I have a judo and sambo background. Even my background is judo.”
His statement highlights an important point. The grappling style that makes him so effective in the UFC is not purely wrestling-based. It is a product of Georgian judo, a tradition that blends centuries-old folk wrestling with the techniques of modern competitive judo.
Georgian judo is synonymous with powerful dynamic throwing techniques that have left an indelible mark on the international judo scene. Shintaro Higashi, a respected judo coach and practitioner, offers insight into what makes Georgian-style judo distinctive and why it has influenced competitors worldwide.
At the heart of Georgian judo is a unique approach to gripping and lifting that stems from the country’s wrestling heritage. Georgians practice a folk-style wrestling called chidaoba, traditionally performed wearing a special jacket called a chokha. This garment resembles a sleeveless vest, and wrestlers use grips including the collar grip with the back that directly inform how Georgian judoka approach throws.
Central to understanding Georgian judo is grasping the concept of Georgian positions. Higashi explains:
“There’s a Georgian A, Georgian B position. When you go over the opposite shoulder and you grab the belt that’s Georgian A and the receiving side is Georgian B, that’s how I like to explain it.”
These positions form the foundation for the massive lifts and explosive throws that have become the hallmark of Georgian judo, such as the famous cabelli lift, which Higashi calls
“a very Georgian-style thing.”
When Georgian judoka began demonstrating these techniques internationally, the impact was immediate. Even Russian-style practitioners took note, adapting elements of the Georgian approach into their own training.
The relevance of Georgian judo extends beyond the tatami into MMA. Techniques like gripping, off-balancing, and explosive lifts rooted in chidaoba and refined in judo translate directly into Dvalishvili’s cage success. His claim of being a
“judo guy”
underscores that the tradition of Georgian judo continues to shape fighters in modern contexts, proving the enduring power and adaptability of these martial arts principles.
What distinguishes Georgian judo is this seamless integration of traditional wrestling grips and positions with judo’s throwing repertoire, creating a style that is both visually impressive and highly effective. From international judo mats to UFC octagons, Georgian techniques continue to inspire and dominate.
