Sometimes the smallest twist of fate changes everything. For Merab Dvalishvili, that twist came in the form of a teammate who turned into a brother. Before he was UFC bantamweight champion, before the 13-fight win streak, he was just another fighter trying to find his place in the Octagon. And if not for Aljamain Sterling, he believes his story would have been very different. The pair have trained side by side for years, carving out legacies at Serra-Longo MMA. And now, ahead of his next title defense, ‘The Machine’ has admitted just how deep that influence runs.

In a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, a clip of which was shared on X by Championship Rounds, Dvalishvili was asked a simple but heavy question: what would his career look like without Sterling? The Georgian fighter didn’t hesitate. “I don’t know, I could be somewhere like PFL now…” he said, bursting into laughter along with Cormier. The joke landed, but the meaning behind it was serious.

Cormier pushed further, asking if Sterling had truly been that important. Dvalishvili’s answer was short but telling as he stated, “Of course, of course.” For a reigning champion to admit his path may have led elsewhere—possibly outside the UFC—without a teammate’s guidance says plenty.

After all, looking back, it’s easy to forget how rocky the start was. Merab Dvalishvili arrived in the UFC in 2017 and dropped his first two fights. A fighter’s confidence can vanish quickly in that situation, and many never recover. But then came the resurgence. He stacked win after win, eventually reaching 13 straight victories and capturing the bantamweight title along the way.

Through it all, Aljamain Sterling was there. Already established in the UFC, Sterling had entered the promotion three years earlier and went on to secure the record for most consecutive title defenses in the bantamweight division.

In a sport where teammates often turn to rivals for a title shot, their pact to never fight each other stood out. But that loyalty was tested after Dvalishvili’s breakout win over José Aldo. Suddenly, talk of a title shot dominated the conversation. As such, in a past interview, Sterling confessed, “When Merab just beat Jose Aldo, that’s when the conversation started. Joe Rogan asked him about fighting for the title, and he said, ‘Please stop asking me about fighting my brother.’ We would never fight each other because there’s no amount of money that’s worth tarnishing our friendship over.”

With Sterling transitioning into featherweight territory and Dvalishvili reigning as bantamweight champion, the two paths have diverged naturally. But the respect remains. And now, as Merab Dvalishvili prepares for Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, he’s already laid out his prediction for how he wants to end that fight!

‘The Machine’ is looking for “first knockout” against Cory Sandhagen

The stage is set for Las Vegas. On October 4, Merab Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight crown for the third time against Cory Sandhagen in the co-main event of UFC 320. The Georgian enters as the betting favorite, but he isn’t treating the assignment lightly. In fact, he’s quick to point out just how tricky Sandhagen can be.

Speaking to MMAJunkie, Dvalishvili confessed, “I know a lot of people think I’ve got this fight easy, but no, definitely no because it’s a new fight for me. Cory is a dangerous opponent. I have so much respect for him as a fighter and human being.”

‘The Machine’ then pointed out the deep bag of tricks Sandhagen possesses as he noted his submissions, knockouts, cardio, takedown defense, and more. Skills that make him a nightmare for any bantamweight inside the Octagon.

Still, Dvalishvili isn’t entering the cage looking to coast. He’s chasing something he’s never done before, as he further shared, “I’m looking for a first knockout because I’m working on my striking, and we’ll see. I’m working on my striking, and this fight most is going to go on the feet. Of course, I’m going to exchange some punches with him, and that’s the goal, but it’s an MMA fight and we have to be ready for everything.”

Now, he’s no longer the fighter who stumbled out of the gates; he’s the champion hunting for his first knockout on the sport’s biggest stage. But behind every jab, every takedown, and every stride forward, the shadow of Aljamain Sterling’s friendship and his impact on ‘The Machine’s career still lingers.