{"id":21141,"date":"2025-07-25T12:58:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T12:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/21141\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T12:58:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T12:58:08","slug":"morning-report-merab-dvalishvili-recalls-being-schooled-by-aljamain-sterling-in-1st-training-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/21141\/","title":{"rendered":"Morning Report: Merab Dvalishvili recalls being schooled by Aljamain Sterling in 1st training session"},"content":{"rendered":"

Merab Dvalishili had a lot to learn the first time he rolled with Aljamain Sterling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The reigning UFC bantamweight champion has always held Sterling – his longtime friend and teammate – in high regard. In a recent interview with coach Matt Serra<\/a>, Dvalishvili recalled how \u201cFunk Master\u201d humbled him when they met in the gym over a decade ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had sparring rounds at [Ray Longo\u2019s gym],\u201d Dvalishvili said on the Geeking Out with Matt Serra<\/a> podcast. \u201cAljo, I think he went either [first or second round against me] and then me, of course, I was wild at the time, I shoot double leg, and before I take him down, I\u2019m already in the triangle. I\u2019m like, \u2018How did I get here?\u2019 Then he made me tap from the triangle.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgain, I go, \u2018Now I\u2019ve got to go hard\u2019 and then I don\u2019t remember, the second [time] he either choked me or armbarred me and I\u2019m like, \u2018This is a different level.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the start of a fortuitous friendship for Dvalishvili and Sterling, both of whom went on to hold UFC titles. It was Sterling who made it to the top first, winning his championship via disqualification after taking an illegal knee from Petr Yan<\/a> at UFC 259<\/a> (and then winning a narrow decision over Yan in their rematch at UFC 273<\/a>). When Sterling later dropped the title to Sean O\u2019Malley<\/a>, Dvalishvili was right there to pick it up, bringing the belt back to their gym with a decision win over O\u2019Malley at UFC 306<\/a> this past September.<\/p>\n

When the two first met, Sterling was already hunting for gold on the New Jersey Regional Scene, having won the Ring of Combat bantamweight title (a title also later won by Dvalishvili) in his third pro bout and he was chasing another title with Cage Fury Fighting Championship when he forged his partnership with Dvalishvili.<\/p>\n

\u201cAljo was already a professional fighter and I think he was about to fight for the CFFC belt and shortly after he goes to the UFC,\u201d Dvalishvili said. \u201cAljo is always willing to help other training partners and also I was training with him and I was getting better and better every time and I learned even the time there was a big difference. He\u2019s still better than me, but at the time he was way better than me.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always respect him, I look up to him, he was a professional fighter and I followed him. We became friends, training partners, sparring partners, and then teammates, and also it became a good problem because he was champion and then I kept winning. People kept mentioning [us fighting] and I never paid attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

These days, Sterling is competing at featherweight while Dvalishvili is coming off a second win over O\u2019Malley, a result that extended Dvalishvili\u2019s current win streak to 13 and has him in the thick of the conversation for the greatest bantamweight of all time.<\/p>\n

As much as he\u2019s achieved in the octagon, Dvalisvhili still fondly remembers when he finally got the better of Sterling on the mats.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, to be honest, I was shocked,\u201d Dvalishvili told Serra. \u201cYou witness our sparring and you were always watching our sparring and Aljo was better than me in sparring. His grappling and jiu-jitsu, he gets on top of me and I can\u2019t move, we were always pushing each other but he was better than me. That day, Aljo was traveling and after a little bit of travel he had a fight booked and we were sparring and this time I was taking him down and I was on top.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was hardly getting up, he\u2019s getting tired, and I\u2019m doing better and I\u2019m like, \u2018What\u2019s wrong with me?\u2019 I thought I was getting so much better. I tell Aljo, \u2018Bro, you always better than me, you always beat me, but today it was my day.\u2019 And then I remind him, \u2018Remember the day?\u2019 and he remembers that day, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tribute. Petr Yan pays his respects to the newly retired<\/a> Dustin Poirier<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Caution. Big changes could be coming to boxing regulations to make the sport more \u201cUFC-style.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Regardless. Arman Tsarukyan<\/a> doesn\u2019t care if Ilia Topuria<\/a> won\u2019t defend against him right now<\/a>, he just wants the belt.<\/p>\n

Trolls. Cory Sandhagen<\/a> has a message for everyone counting him out<\/a> before he even steps into the cage with Merab Dvalishvili<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Truth. Khabib Nurmagomedov<\/a> believes Jon Jones<\/a>\u2019 best days came long before his recent retirement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mailbag. MMA Fighting\u2019s Jed Meshew looks back<\/a> at Dustin Poirier\u2019s career and looks ahead for Max Holloway<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hulk. MMA fighters react to the news of pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dying at the age of 71<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Between the Links.<\/p>\n

Catch up on MMA Fighting interviews with Petr Yan, Reinier de Ridder<\/a>, and Cody Garbrandt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Submission Radio brings in Jos\u00e9 Youngs to react to all the big fight announcements.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Tim Sylvia<\/a> chats with Rampage and the boys.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Rashad Evans<\/a> on the Pound 4 Pound podcast.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Legitimate questions.<\/p>\n

If you know the risks then why are you not pushing to expand the rights to MMA athletes instead of punching a hole through the Ali Act to help promoters line their pockets??? https:\/\/t.co\/KokBiDPJrr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) July 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

I have a lot of ?s about the amendment to the Ali Act. The definition of a UBO still aligns with the definition of a promoter under the 1996 Act. UBOs organize, promote & produce boxing matches. Will the Ali Act requirements for promoters still apply to UBOs? \/1<\/p>\n

\u2014 Boxing Esq. (@boxing_esq) July 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

If so, will UBOs need to provide disclosures of revenue to fighters & steer clear of conflicts of interest w\/ commissions & sanctioning bodies? Dana himself said this “league” is really just a “boxing promotion” in his interview with @DanRafael1<\/a>. – 2\/2<\/p>\n

\u2014 Boxing Esq. (@boxing_esq) July 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Kurt has got a real good question. Does being a UBO mean you are no longer a promoter and this no longer have to comply with the provisions in the Ali Act that are directed at promoters, such as event compensation disclosure to the boxer? https:\/\/t.co\/B7VxsFyInR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John S. Nash (@heynottheface) July 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Notice the phrase “protections” by Chris Mannix here. This is classic Frank Luntz-ism. The talking points this morning in the US media were carefully disseminated.<\/p>\n

Read our article about the Dana White\/Ike Epstein TKO game plan to swallow up club boxing.https:\/\/t.co\/d585Z4VYZj<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rmZ4EfkzPq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Fight Opinion (@FightOpinion) July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s always your \u201cfriends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2620\ufe0f Gilbert Burns compares UFC newcomer Islam Dulatov to Renato Moicano:<\/p>\n

“On one side you got model, billionaire, good looking, UFC fighter. On another side it’s Moicano – bald, doesn’t take the money, almost retired.”<\/p>\n

@showmethepod<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/oNDuPP6DkO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Show Me the Money Podcast (@showmethepod) July 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay in school!<\/p>\n

Come back, little Ilia!<\/p>\n

Tatiana Suarez<\/a> (10-1) vs. Amanda Lemos<\/a> (15-4); Noche UFC<\/a> 3, Sept. 13<\/p>\n

Aleksandar Rakic<\/a> (14-5) vs. Azamat Murzakanov<\/a> (15-0); UFC 321<\/a>, Oct. 25<\/p>\n

Azat Maksum<\/a> (15-2) vs. Mitch Raposo<\/a> (9-3); UFC 321, Oct. 25<\/p>\n

Ikram Aliskerov<\/a> (16-2) vs. Jun Yong Park<\/a> (19-6); UFC 321, Oct. 25<\/p>\n

Hamdy Abdelwahab<\/a> (6-1, 1 NC) vs. Chris Barnett<\/a> (23-9); UFC 321, Oct. 25<\/p>\n

After all these years, the Merab-Aljo friendship still gets me. Hope y\u2019all have someone you know who can triangle choke you to sleep and then take you out for a drink later.<\/p>\n

The Morning Report will be back Tuesday.<\/p>\n

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If you find something you\u2019d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee<\/a> or @JedKMeshew<\/a> on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n