Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling are two of the best bantamweights in the history of UFC. Interestingly, they are also close friends and training partners.
Sterling was the first to hold the UFC Bantamweight Belt. He won it in 2021 with a disqualification against Petr Yan, defending three times against Yan, TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo. He eventually lost his belt to Sean O’Malley.
Dvalishvili won the belt from O’Malley last September with a clear decision victory. He met O’Malley in a rematch at UFC 316 last weekend after another decision won over Umar Nurmagomedov earlier this year. This time he won more decisively, beating the former champion by submission.
Merab Dvalishvili offers generous gifts to UFC training partners
The victory was very impressive, with Dvalishvili winning $50,000 in addition to his standard fighting wallet.
After his victory, Dvalishvili told the media he intends to split the 50/50 Sterling and its bonus.
“My friend Aljaman Sterling has helped me so much during my training camp,” Dvalishvili told UFC 316’s postwar press conference (via Sportskeeda). “He’s married. He doesn’t really like sparring, but he sparred with me three times a week.
“I am grateful to my friend Aljaman Sterling. I was told to him today that I have to split the bonus.
After his second victory at O’Malley, Dvalishvili is a truly legendary run with a 13-Straight victory behind him. Highlights of his current winning streak include victory over O’Malley (of course), Nurmagomedov, Henry Sejdo, Petr Yang and Jose Aldo. He is currently one of the best fighters objectively in MMA. It is possible he did not achieve what he had without the help of his friend Sterling.
