Merab Dvalishvili has shown tremendous endurance and power inside the Octagon. His fights are often set at a high pace as he swoops down for multiple takedowns against his opponents. Needless to say, he does like to grapple a lot in his fights. But that doesn’t mean his striking prowess is inferior. Even though he has a strong sense of wrestling and striking, he hasn’t won many fights via KO/TKO or submissions.

‘The Machine’s records and fighting skills have often urged the fighting community to wonder about the people who trained and cornered him. Today, let’s take a deep dive and learn everything there is to know about Dvalishvili’s coaches and his teammates.

Who are Merab Dvalishvili’s coaches? Gym and more

“The Machine’ began his training when he was just 10 years old. Growing up in independent Georgia, Dvalishvili trained in Qartuli Chidaoba, Khridoli, Sambo, and Judo. But soon, he stepped into the realm of mixed martial arts. He moved to the United States when he turned 21 with dreams of becoming a professional MMA fighter. That was where Dvalishvili found the guidance of Ray Longo and Matt Serra and trained at Serra BJJ gym. 

Longo is the head coach of the Serra-Longo fight team and is indeed considered to be one of the most appreciated coaches in the MMA world. In 2015, he was even nominated for the World MMA Awards’ Coach of the Year. Being a stunt man, factory, and one of the top MMA coaches, Longo cornered and trained ‘The Machine’ to multiple victories with his striking prowess.

But it was Matt Serra, the former UFC welterweight champion, who trained Dvalishvili in the arts of jiu-jitsu. Serra has been a student of the honorable Renzo Gracie and received his black belt under his guidance. Now, the former UFC champ makes sure that he passes on Gracie’s legacy to the rising MMA stars. 

Dvalishvili’s first title shot in MMA was against Sukhrob Aydarbekov under the banner of ROC. That was when the bantamweight fighter gave all the credit to his coaches. He claimed, “my coach Ray Longo is pushing to help me exceed my limits in cardio and striking. However, if fighting for a title or not, I am always training my best to be prepared for any fight.”

Apart from Dvalishvili, Serra and Longo have trained a few other strong fighters who have made their mark in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Let’s take a look at ‘The Machine’s teammates.

Aljamain Sterling, Chris Weidman, and more: Merab Dvalishvili’s teammates

Aljamain Sterling, Chris Weidman, and Al Laquinta are the three fighters from Serra BJJ who have established themselves in the fighting realm. No doubt, Dvalishhvili was pretty happy to be able to train with such phenomenal fighters. He once said, “I am very appreciative of my team who is like family and all the support they give me especially my coaches Ray Longo , Matt Serra, Pete Sell, and Chris Weidman . I am also grateful to my friends who are training and sparring with me Al Iaquinta, Aljamain Sterling, James Jenkins, Patrick Defranco, James Gonzales and Anthony Genovese.” 

As of now, the UFC bantamweight #1 is set to fight for the bantamweight championship title against Sean O’Malley. The fight will be the headliner bout for UFC Noche, scheduled to be the first title fight at The Sphere, Las Vegas. With a 10-fight winning streak, Dvalishvili is indeed looking for one more win and claiming the championship belt at UFC 306. 

Do you think the guidance from Serra and Longo will be enough to help Dvalishvili get the bantamweight belt? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.