Merab Dvalishvili (14-4, 4th) trains with Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling on Long Island and weighs 135 pounds with former Featherweight Champion Jose. I have a big clash with Aldo (31-7, 18 finishes) is the main draw for UFC 278 in Salt Lake City on Saturday. The former Soviet Republic of Georgia native recently spoke with The Post's Scott Fontana via Zoom about his latest Post Fight interview.
Q: You were forced to serve in the military in Georgia. Of course, Georgia has a lot of history of conflict from Russia. You tweeted about his 14th anniversary of the Russo-Georgian War this month. What do you observe, especially when you watch what is happening in Ukraine now? How do you see it?
A: It's heartbreaking. No one can stop Russia. They are killing people, just like ordinary people, people of Ukraine. they are not terrorists. …because they want to be free like Georgia. We are friends with America. We are friends with European countries and civilizations. We don't want to go back to the USSR. Georgia left the Soviet Union and immediately entered the war in 1991 [Georgian Civil War]. It was a very bad time when I was born. They are now doing the same thing to Ukraine as he did twice to Georgia. And now they are killing. I am very heartbroken. I post from time to time and share mine, but I know that there are no effective sanctions on Russia, so I can't stop Russia. they don't care They are bombing Ukraine, killing children and ordinary people. can not understand. This is very heartbreaking. We must all try to stop war.
Q: Almost a year has passed since that fierce battle. Defeated Marlon Moraes. Why couldn't I go home sooner?
A: I wanted to go back to the octagon right away, but it wasn't a fight for me. I wanted to fight someone, but it's difficult. Our division was now all booked with many good players, including his six former champions. Sometimes it can be difficult to match. But finally I fought and it was worth the wait. Brother Aljamain Sterling, in particular, was preparing for his title defense against Petr Jan. Before [the match], I was in no hurry. But after he defended the title, I had nothing to do, so it was really tough then. I just want to fight I don't have a fight But in the end they give me a good fight.
Q: You are about to face Joseardo, one of the greatest fighters of all time. What does it mean for you to have this opportunity against such a skilled fighter?
A: This is another battle for me. But sometimes when I think about it, this is crazy. This is unbelievable. Fighting against the legendary Jose Aldo. I was watching how he was fighting on TV. He always fought at a high level. He was a champion for a long time. He just lost the championship and he's great.
Q: Takedowns are a big part of your game, but defeating Aldo has been difficult even for other skilled wrestlers in the past. What is the key to imposing your will in this fight.
Kill him again. He has good defense, takedown defense. But my style, the way I shoot, the way I beat people, it's hard to put down. If not, I'm going to throw punches, and I'm going to fight anywhere. But I'm going to beat him. We will tire him out, beat him down and make sure I win this fight safely.
Q: Sterling is the champion of your division. I understand you two don't want to fight each other. What does that mean for you, who aspires to be a world champion?
A: He is my brother. I learned a lot from him. And I am where I am today because of him, training with him, and how he made me where I am today. Everything, even my takedowns. Thanks to all my training with him, he's a very strong, very technical [fighter] and he always teaches me MMA classes and techniques. And we are just friends. Our team, that's our tradition. we are not fighting each other. Friendships and brotherhood are more than belts and world championships. … I can't explain. we love each other we are best friends We are good training partners. They always tell me. I always try to be with him. yeah i don't care I'm focused on this fight now and I'm going to win. There are many other battles and I am enjoying my life. This is the problem. Two friends, two best friends, and two brothers are in the same gym. We are now on top of the world. And that's a good question.
Experience watching MMA.
A: The first time I saw it was Fedor Emelianenko's battle. He was fighting like crazy (laughs). … on YouTube he watches MMA fights, at that time Fedor Emelianenko was very popular and I watched all his fights. He was fighting like crazy with punches and takedowns, so I used to imitate his style of fighting. But he's a heavyweight and I'm a little guy [laughs]. But it works for me. After 10 wins in Georgia, I came to America. I tried the same thing and it didn't work (laughs) because he had jiu-jitsu. It's like a game changer.
Q: Typical walkaround weight between battles.
A: When he is in good shape, he weighs 155 pounds, and he is 20 pounds over his weight class.
Q: Typical weight for Fight Knight.
A: 153. After losing weight, I gained 17 pounds. It's normal.
Q: Favorites Diet after weight loss.
A: Hi, I will eat anything after I weigh myself. Everything is delicious. After this, I just want to eat. I'm happy no matter what I eat (laughs). I devour water and eat protein bars, chicken, pasta, whatever. They will eat whatever is nearby.
Q: What was your favorite provincial match?
A: When I was his Ring of Combat champion, Dana White came on his "Lookin' for a Fight" show and asked my opponent [currently his Bellator interim bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots] was undefeated. very good fighter. If we win this battle, we have a chance. Dana White was there and he was watching. And he was to sign my opponent because everyone thought my opponent should win because he was undefeated. He was UFC ready. But it was my chance to win that fight and go to the UFC. Otherwise, we had to keep fighting small shows and keep doing construction work. I was very motivated and finished the fight in 15 seconds. i knocked him out. And I was so happy knowing I was going to the UFC that it changed my life.
Q: Who do you admire the most in MMA?
A: My team: Aljamain Sterling, Al Iaquinta, Chris Weidman, Matt Serra. They are a good example of similarities. Good people, good fighters, good family, good friends, and good advice. But I like Georges St-Pierre. He is also very good and disciplined.
Q: What's the coolest technique in martial arts?
A: The cause of suffocation is, for example, someone going crazy, someone in the street, someone fighting, someone being [aggressive]. For example, if Choking him, possibly rendering him [unconscious]. … "Calm down. I'll put him to sleep." I don't mean to hurt him. I can put him to sleep
Q: Favorite movie.
A: I used to watch movies, but not anymore. i have a couple I used to love like "Rockies". ……The movie “Titanic” makes me cry (laughs). … I loved “Gladiator”.
Q: What is your favorite outdoor activity?
A: I love everything. i like to run outside hiking. I like bicycles If I go to some new place, say another state, I like to run outside. This way I can feel and see new things. … When I was young, I loved hunting. But I don't enjoy it anymore. I hate guns I have a knife I can't enjoy it. I don't like killing animals anymore. … I think mixed martial arts changed my life. I don't need a gun. Do not know. I can't enjoy it anymore.
Q: Do you play video games?
A: When I was 15 or 16, I was playing one game, say shooting, for six months. I was just training and playing video games. And then I realized that I was wasting my time getting carried away, and I got lost.