Merab Dvalishvili admits Aljamain Sterling “smashed him” in grappling training and warns Movsar Evloev ahead of UFC 310
Aljamain Sterling is set to take on Movsar Evloev as part of a stacked UFC 310 card on Dec. 7. Both fighters are regarded as elite grapplers, and fans will likely be treated to several high-level scrambles should the fight hit the canvas.
Ahead of Sterling's clash, his longtime friend and training partner Merab Dvalishvili has shared a candid insight into how their training sessions have been going.
'The Machine', currently the UFC bantamweight champion, is also revered for his relentless wrestling style. Despite being arguably the best grappler at 135 pounds, Dvalishvili admitted that 'Funk Master' had been getting the better of him more often than not during their training sessions.
During a recent video of Sterling's fight camp for his UFC 310 clash with Evloev, the bantamweight champion was captured saying:
"Now [Sterling] did a bunch of jiu-jitsu rounds too. He did two rounds with me, I couldn't do anything, he was on top of me, controlling me, smashing me. That means that Aljo is going to smash his opponent [at UFC 310]. Even though his opponent is really good, I have so much respect for Movsar Evloev. But that's how the fight-game is, the stronger guy wins. I'm very comfortable with Aljo, because he's focused and he feels really strong."
Catch Merab Dvalishvili discuss Aljamain Sterling below (3:35):
Aljamain Sterling hopeful of title shot on the back of Movsar Evloev win at UFC 310
UFC 310 will see Aljamain Sterling and Movsar Evloev go to war on the preliminary card in what will be the promotion's final pay-per-view event of 2024.
Evloev has yet to taste defeat in his career, and Sterling is hoping to change that when the time comes on Dec. 7. The former bantamweight champion is confident that a win over the fifth-ranked undefeated featherweight will put him in a fantastic position for a title fight against Ilia Topuria.
'Funk Master' was recently interviewed by Ariel Helwani, where he said:
"That 0 has got to go... I think a win over Movsar gets me in the title shot conversation... I think it's new blood. It's exciting... I don't even want to think about that right now. I have to win this fight to even get into that conversation so I got a tough task in front of me in less than four weeks and I'm just excited to shut this guy up once and for all."
Catch Aljamain Sterling's comments below (31:30):