Merab Dvalishvili experienced a significant learning moment when he first sparred with Aljamain Sterling more than a decade ago. The two, who have since become UFC champions and longtime friends, first crossed paths during training sessions that left a lasting impression on Dvalishvili. This formative encounter helped shape his journey in the UFC bantamweight division and remains a defining moment in their relationship.
At the time, Sterling, already an accomplished fighter, quickly demonstrated his skill and control in sparring. Dvalishvili recalled these early rounds on the Geeking Out with Matt Serra podcast, explaining how Sterling’s grappling technique took him by surprise. During a double-leg takedown attempt, Sterling locked in a triangle choke before the takedown was complete, forcing Dvalishvili to submit. The following sparring round only cemented Sterling’s dominance as he either choked or armbared Dvalishvili, signaling a higher level of skill.
The Evolution of a Friendship and Training Partnership
Their initial meetings in the gym laid the foundation for a strong bond, with both fighters rising through the ranks to claim UFC titles. Sterling reached the pinnacle first, securing the bantamweight championship after a controversial disqualification win against Petr Yan at UFC 259. He later defeated Yan by a narrow decision in their rematch at UFC 273. Dvalishvili, meanwhile, followed closely behind, capturing the bantamweight title by defeating Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in September.
When Dvalishvili and Sterling first trained together, Sterling was already a professional on the cusp of further success. Having won the Ring of Combat bantamweight belt early in his career—just as Dvalishvili would later do—and pursuing a Cage Fury Fighting Championship (CFFC) title, Sterling served as an experienced guide. Dvalishvili reflected on how Sterling’s willingness to assist his teammates helped his progression through persistent training sessions.
“Aljo 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,”
Dvalishvili said.
“Aljo 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’s still better than me, but at the time he was way better than me.”
This humble respect developed into a friendship and training partnership. As teammates and sparring partners, their mutual growth brought about a dynamic relationship, though rumors about a potential fight between them circulated without much attention from either athlete.
“I 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.”
Shifting Dynamics as Fighters Rise to Championship Status
Over time, Sterling moved up to the featherweight division while Dvalishvili solidified his reign at bantamweight, currently on a thirteen-fight win streak that has sparked conversations about his place among the greatest in his weight class. Despite their professional growth and competitive achievements, Dvalishvili fondly recalls a pivotal moment when he finally surpassed Sterling in a sparring match, a reversal of their earlier dynamic.
During a session when Sterling was fatigued due to travel and preparing for an upcoming fight, Dvalishvili managed to secure top position and control, a rare occurrence considering Sterling’s earlier dominance. This moment symbolized both progress and mutual respect between the two fighters.
“Actually, to be honest, I was shocked,”
Dvalishvili shared with Serra.
“You 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’t 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.”
“He was hardly getting up, he’s getting tired, and I’m doing better and I’m like, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ I thought I was getting so much better. I tell Aljo, ‘Bro, you always better than me, you always beat me, but today it was my day.’ And then I remind him, ‘Remember the day?’ and he remembers that day, for sure.”
Legacy of a Unique Bond in MMA
The friendship and rivalry between Dvalishvili and Sterling go beyond their professional achievements, reflecting the importance of dedication, respect, and mutual growth in MMA. Their shared history, punctuated by moments of triumph and challenge, shows how high-level training partnerships can contribute to the success of elite competitors. Dvalishvili’s admiration for Sterling highlights the significance of mentorship and camaraderie within what can be a cutthroat sport.
As Sterling continues to compete at featherweight and Dvalishvili defends his bantamweight title, their intertwined careers remain a compelling narrative of perseverance, respect, and evolution in the UFC landscape. Their journey offers inspiration to fighters and fans alike, emphasizing that the path to greatness often begins with humility and learning from those who came before.