Merab Dvalishvili on fighting Nurmagomedov, retiring from MMA, winning gold and sparring Kevin James

Verse Us with Eric Nicksick

Submit your questions to the show!

Eric and Randy are joined by UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. They discuss moving to America, retiring from MMA, winning the belt, sparring actor Kevin James, Georgian cuisine, and how the fight with Umar Nurmagomedov is only the first fight the two will have on January 18.
#MerabDvalishvili #UFC #MMA #Nurmagomedov #Umar #Khabib #Topuria #Georgia
Have any guests, topics or a little bit of advice for us? Comment on this video and let us know your thoughts!
Follow 'Verse Us' on all social media @VSUSPod
Subscribe to 'Verse Us' on Youtube
Listen to 'Verse Us' on all streaming platforms wherever you get your podcasts
Follow Eric Nicksick on all social media @Eric_XCMMA
Follow Randy Faehnrich on all social media @RandallAnthony_
00:00:00 intro
00:01:15 Guest introduction
00:02:19 Life after winning the belt at UFC Noche
00:06:08 Merab beating tough fighters and former champions on his way to the belt
00:07:18 What was it like bring the belt back to Georgia
00:09:45 How often does Merab go back home to georgia
00:11:42 When did Merab move to America and where did he start training
00:15:46 Mearab learning english in the states
00:16:17 How did merab link up with Serra Longo gym
00:18:05 Merabs first fights in CFFC
00:18:48 Merabs retiring from MMA after a couple losses and losing motivation
00:21:19 Merabs fight with Ralph during "Dana White Looking for a fight" and gettting UFC contract
00:22:42 Training at Serra Longo during the weidman vs sylva fight
00:24:34 Weidman winning the belt and Longo holding pads the next day
00:26:15 How was is training at the gym after weidman won the belt
00:28:54 Fights leading up to "Looking for a fight"
00:30:51 First fight in the UFC
00:31:56 Eric cornering against Merab with 3 day notice during covid with Gustavo Lopez
00:35:30 How does Merab train to have his cardio
00:38:00 Reporters always asking why Merab won't fight Aljo
00:39:32 What was the conversation like with Aljo about not fighting each other
00:43:29 Merab is on of the funniest fighters in the UFC
00:44:50 Fan gets too comfortable with fights and merab standing up for his friends
00:48:03 Merab does not take disrespect from fans and confronting them
00:49:22 Whats the difference between the disrespect between Sean O'Mally and Umar
00:53:00 How's camp going leading up to his fight in January
00:54:39 Who are some of Merabs training partners
00:56:15 Merabs thoughts on the fight between Illia and Halloway
00:59:55 Merabs and Illia's relationship
01:02:10 Merab sparring Kevin James the actor by mistake
01:06:57 "This or That" georgian food
01:08:30 It's important for a coach to go see the places where their fighters are from
01:12:09 Outro