MightyCast w/ Demetrious Johnson MERAB DVALISHVILI on UFC 320, TRAINING w/ DJ, DATING LIFE | EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Sep 30, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," chats with Demetrious Johnson about his relentless training regimen and how his construction background laid the foundation for his elite cardio. He shares humorous anecdotes about being late and his initial reluctance to train with DJ. The conversation also dives into his close bond with Aljamain Sterling, plans for a free gym in Georgia, and insights on navigating life as a champion, including his approach to dating and weight management.
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Live Sparring Trumps Endless Drilling
- Merab prefers live, realistic sparring over technical drilling to adapt his game under pressure.
- He intentionally puts himself in bad positions to learn escapes and build fight-specific conditioning.
Gym Fight That Shaped Training Choices
- Merab recounted a gym confrontation where a teammate pushed to fight him and he accepted on short notice and won.
- That result taught him to be cautious about training partners and who he regularly spars with.
Coaching By Enhancement, Not Overhaul
- Coach John Wood refines Merab's style rather than overhauling it, adding tools to what already works.
- That co-pilot coaching approach preserved Merab's instincts while improving technique.