How Will Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili’s Friendship Affect the Aftermath of UFC 292?

In an ultra-competitive environment like that of UFC, it is quite easy to make enemies. There are so many instances of fierce rivalries and sometimes, these span across different weight divisions. However, there are rare cases where two UFC fighters stand side-by-side as friends and fight the world. The friendship between UFC Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili is one for the history books.

Both fighters fight out of the Bantamweight division. However, the friendship the two share is stronger than any record that either of the fighters has. There have been instances where the two could have possibly fought each other but both fighters didn’t want to, owing to their strong bond of friendship.

Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling’s unbreakable bond

It is quite easy to have relationships turn sour in the UFC as each fighter is out to get his own. However, Sterling and Dvalishvili’s friendship is definitely one-of-a-kind. The two have been friends and teammates for years.

Both the fighters are teammates as the two train together at Serra-Longo Flight Team. They have shared this bond for the longest time and it seems nothing can come between them – not even the UFC title. Dvalishvili is currently on an 8-win streak. Although he put in the hard work to make sure he got where he needed to be. He addressed all the credit to his teammate and partner, Aljamain Sterling.

In his last fight, Dvalishvili defeated the legendary Jose Aldo. A possible fight against his friend and current division champ, Aljamain Sterling, was being discussed. However, Dvalishvili immediately shut those rumors down. He said that he was very close to Sterling and that he wasn’t prepared to throw that away at any cost – not even for the UFC Bantamweight title belt.

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Sterling had also discarded the idea of fighting Dvalishvili for a title defense. According to sources, he was offered ‘$500k to fight Dvalishvili. However, he rejected the offer, as he didn’t want to ‘throw away’ their friendship. It seems that the only way Dvalishvili might be getting a title shot is if Sterling loses the title to Sean O’Malley in their upcoming UFC 292 bout, or if he climbs the weight class.

Merab Dvalishvili backs Aljamain Sterling over Sean O’Malley at UFC 292

It seems Sterling and his best friend and teammate Dvalishvili are willing to do whatever it takes to preserve that.
At UFC 292 on August 20th, the current Bantamweight champion, Sterling, will engage in a scheduled fight against Sean O’Malley. Dvalishvili firmly believes that his friend will achieve the victory.

At UFC 288, Dvalishvili stole O’Malley’s jacket when he was trying to start things with Sterling after the latter won his fight against Henry Cejudo. He has been wearing and flaunting that ever since. In fact, Dvalishvili has said that he might be wearing it to the ringside at UFC 292. Also, will take off the jacket once Sterling beats O’Malley.

Friendships like these are rare. To witness such a deep bond grow between two UFC fighters in such a hostile environment is truly heartwarming. There have been so many instances where their friendship stood strong, despite lucrative offers and rumors. But will Sterling win his next title defense against O’Malley? Or will Dvalishvili have to take the walk of shame alongside his friend?

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