Joe Rogan, a renowned UFC commentator and podcast host, recently praised Merab Dvalishvili’s extraordinary performance after his dominant win at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025, at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Dvalishvili, the UFC bantamweight champion, defeated Sean O’Malley by submission, showcasing unmatched stamina and skill.
On his podcast, Rogan marveled at Dvalishvili’s abilities, calling him a “freak” and highlighting his relentless drive, which sets him apart in the sport. The praise comes as Dvalishvili continues to solidify his legacy.
Rogan’s High Praise
Rogan expressed awe at Dvalishvili’s conditioning.
“That guy is insane,” he said. “He’s insane. His cardio is something that everyone who has been involved in the sport for as long as I have, is blown away by it. That guy’s a freak. Daniel Cormier went to visit him after he won the title. He won the title Saturday night at the Sphere in Vegas, beat Sean O’Malley, dominant five-round decision, just steam rolled him. The next day, Daniel Cormier goes to visit him and he’s out running. He doesn’t stop. Doesn’t stop.”
He added, “Just this guy from Georgia, from this war-torn country who just embraces that f*cking grind at a level that nobody else can compete with. When he gets in the ring, no one can match his cardio. No one can match his pace. He melts the greatest of the greats.”
Merab Dvalishvili’s Fighting Path
Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, on January 10, 1991, Dvalishvili started MMA in 2014 after moving to the United States. He joined the UFC in 2017, building a 13-2 UFC record (20-4 overall). Dvalishvili won the bantamweight title by defeating O’Malley at UFC 306 in September 2024 and defended it against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025 and O’Malley at UFC 316.
His career includes wins over Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo, marking a 13-fight win streak.
Rogan on Dvalishvili’s Edge
Rogan highlighted Dvalishvili’s superiority.
“You see guys like Umar Nurmagomedov, who’s elite he’s world class like at any other time, he’d be a world champion and Merab is just overwhelming him,” he said. “You see him just getting overwhelmed by the pace and Merab doesn’t even get tired. He’s a freak.”
He noted technique growth, saying:
“You can see the evolution of his technique so a lot of it is [learned] in America. It’s just his mindset and his drive. Firas Zahabi did a whole video about him saying he needs to be studied in a lab. Firas Zahabi, who runs Tri-Star in Montreal, is like one of the greatest gyms of all time and he’s one of the best minds ever in the history of MMA and he’s blown away by this guy.”
Dvalishvili’s Unique Drive
Rogan explored Dvalishvili’s stamina source.
“There’s guys that are on EPO like the cyclists take, it makes you have more blood cells and it makes you have more cardio but you can have a f*cking stroke, it’s like super dangerous to take. Tour De France guys get busted for that kind of shit. Some fighters get busted. He’s like guys that I know that [Firas Zahabi] thinks some of it’s genetic but Merab says it’s not,” he said.
He concluded, “He’s a freak and he keeps getting better with his technique. He gets better with everything. That drive is not just for his cardio. That drive is for his whole skillset. So he’s a f*cking monster.” via MMAFighting
At UFC 316, Dvalishvili outstruck O’Malley 135-34 and landed five of 12 takedowns. The fight ended with a north-south choke submission at 4:42 of the third round. Cormier visited Dvalishvili the next day, finding him running, a testament to his endurance.
Dvalishvili’s dominance over O’Malley, a former champion, reinforced his title reign. The event, held at the Sphere, drew global attention.
Growing up in war-torn Georgia, Dvalishvili faced hardship, fueling his work ethic. He moved to the U.S. in his 20s, training with coaches like Ray Longo in New York. His background shaped his gritty style, contrasting with more polished fighters.
His Olympic wrestling aspirations ended early, redirecting him to MMA, where his stamina became legendary. Dvalishvili’s journey reflects resilience.
Dvalishvili’s pace overwhelms opponents like Nurmagomedov, a top contender. His ability to maintain energy over five rounds sets a new standard. Coaches and analysts, including Zahabi, study his approach, calling it revolutionary.
At 34, Dvalishvili eyes Cory Sandhagen as a potential next challenger. His evolution suggests a long reign ahead, challenging the division’s elite.
Rogan, a comedian turned commentator, has covered MMA since the 1990s. His podcast, featuring experts like Zahabi, offers deep insights. His praise for Dvalishvili underscores the fighter’s unique impact.
