UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili opened up about one of the most challenging decisions of his career during a conversation on Matt Serra’s podcast. He talked about his refusal to compete against his longtime friend and training partner Aljamain Sterling, even when it meant potentially sacrificing his championship aspirations.
Dvalishvili’s journey to the top of the bantamweight division is intertwined with his relationship with Sterling, which began over a decade ago at the Serra-Longo gym. Their first encounter left a lasting impression on Dvalishvili, who recalled being immediately submitted by Sterling despite his own combat sambo and judo background.
“First before we do jiu-jitsu your gym we did we have a sparing rounds in longos,” Dvalishvili remembered. “And then me of course I was wild that time and I shoot double leg and before I take him down he already have my…. I’m already in the triangle I’m like how I get here and then and then he finish he make me tap from triangle.”
That humbling experience became the foundation of a friendship that would define both fighters’ careers. Sterling, already a professional competitor at the time, took Dvalishvili under his wing. Sterling helped him develop his ground game and transition from a wild, aggressive fighter into a more complete mixed martial artist.
As both climbed the UFC rankings, their friendship faced its ultimate test. When Sterling became champion and Dvalishvili emerged as a top contender, the MMA world began clamoring for them to compete.
The pressure was immense – from fans, media, and the UFC itself. For Dvalishvili, it represented everything he had worked for since arriving in America as a young contender struggling to make ends while working construction.
“Loyalty is easy when there’s nothing on the line, but true loyalty shines through in tough times.” – Merab Dvalishvili
Dvalishvili would not compete against his friend, regardless of the stakes.
“I never wanted to fight, of course Aljo, and especially and then I know how means to him like that time me for me was the big deal,” Dvalishvili explained. “But poor Aljo. Aljo always want to be champion and I know how he wants to keep this belt and then I also know that when he has a opponent, his opponents always come enemy, and then me I want to be just friends with Aljo. I don’t want to change our relationship. That was the main everything and that’s why I never wanted to fight him.”
This decision came at a significant cost. Dvalishvili was working construction while competing in the UFC, a far cry from the financial security that a title match would have provided. The pressure from all sides was enormous, with many viewing his refusal as a career-limiting move.
Serra, who witnessed this internal struggle firsthand, praised Dvalishvili’s character during their conversation. “You give me our friendship, and you put a million dollars over here, I’m taking our friendship,” Serra said. “There’s not a lot of…. There’s now…. there’s people that could say it. You’re in that position… it’s life-changing money this is life this is life-changing… All you have to do is fight your best friend and you didn’t do it.”
The sacrifice proved worthwhile when Sterling eventually lost his title to Sean O’Malley, clearing the path for Dvalishvili to pursue his championship dreams without compromising his friendship. When Dvalishvili finally got his title shot, he dominated O’Malley across five rounds to claim the bantamweight title.
Today, both remain close friends, with Dvalishvili as champion and Sterling supporting his success.
