UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili who has a win-loss-draw ratio of 17-4-0 and is currently Number One in the UFC Bantamweight rankings, was in Mumbai recently. t2 caught up with ‘The Machine’ for a quick chat.
What was your Mumbai trip like?
Very good. Everyone was so nice and the weather was also nice. I went to the beach and around the city and visited a few restaurants. This was my first time in India and I want to come back many more times.
Are you a beach or a mountain person?
I am a mountain person, but I also like swimming and the ocean. I like nature.
What drew you to combat sports?
I am from Georgia and it is a small country. We have always been at war and defending ourselves and also sports is big in my country, especially judo and we have a couple of Olympic champions in wrestling and judo. I have always looked up to them and wanted to be one of the guys who represented his country internationally.
I started with judo and after I saw MMA, I wanted to challenge myself and give it a try. From the very first fight, I realised that was my sport. I started training in MMA and a couple of years later I moved to the United States to continue with my career. I was looking for MMA gyms there and fights. At first, it was difficult to figure it out and I had to figure out many things myself. This was 12 years ago when the Internet wasn’t what it is today. Now, you can follow your favourite fighter instantly and have an idea as to how to go about training.
Did you ever want to join the army?
If I weren’t successful in sports, I would have joined the Georgian army. Actually, I have spent a year in the Georgian army. It is mandatory.
Did it make you more disciplined?
You learn lots of things and it is a big experience. I am sure it helped me, but MMA is a totally different sport. I only watch MMA.
Were your parents apprehensive about you getting into combat sports?
My mother was, like every mother, but after a couple of fights, they realised that it was important to me and that I loved the sport. It is not really dangerous. I train hard and we have a referee and rules. Every sport has a fear of injury. You can get injured in soccer too. We train smart. When we are wrestling, boxing or kickboxing, we don’t break each other.
When we fight, yes, we punch each other, but thank God, I have never been in a serious injury in a fight. I have broken my shoulder and thumb while training, but people riding motorcycles is more dangerous.
What has been the secret to your stupendous success in just over a decade?
The key is hard work and training and making sure that I train well. I can of course go out and have fun, but I make sure I get at least one good training session or workout. Even while travelling, I make sure I go to the gym and lift some weights or run. I always try to be in good shape or get better. My secret is that I have a good training partner and I am trying to get better. I am humble and I don’t think I am better than everybody. I still have to learn and get better.
Is there a process before an important match?
I train every day, whether I have a fight or not, trying to get better in wrestling, jujitsu, kickboxing, boxing and MMA, but before a fight, I start specific training, maybe a couple of months in advance. I’ll train with someone who is my opponent’s size, mimicking how he trains. I will have a game plan as to how to beat him. I have to study and watch his fights. It’s a big process. Then we have to cut at least 10 kilos to make our weight.
Have you had to give up on a favourite food item because of your profession?
I try not to eat too many chocolates and ice cream. I have to eat smart and clean. When I am closer to a fight, I have to be on a strict diet. I was excited to eat Indian food, because I could indulge at this point.
Have years in combat sports made you tougher mentally?
Yeah, of course, you have to be mentally strong to fight MMA and in general too. Life is a fight and we have to fight for everything and give it our 100 per cent. When you give it your 100 per cent, you don’t have any regrets. Maybe I trained better than my opponent. I know I wasn’t cheating or being lazy. That’s what makes me mentally strong. I believe in myself and give my best.
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