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December 31, 2024 71 mins

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Eric and Randy are joined by UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. They discuss moving to America, retiring from MMA, winning the belt, sparring actor Kevin James, Georgian cuisine, and how the fight with Umar Nurmagomedov is only the first fight the two will have on January 18. 

#MerabDvalishvili #UFC #MMA #Nurmagomedov #Umar #Khabib #Topuria #Georgia 

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00:00:00  intro
00:01:15  Guest introduction    
00:02:19  Life after winning the belt at UFC Noche    
00:06:08  Merab beating tough fighters and former champions on his way to the belt    
00:07:18  What was it like bring the belt back to Georgia    
00:09:45  How often does Merab go back home to georgia    
00:11:42  When did Merab move to America and where did he start training    
00:15:46  Mearab learning english in the states    
00:16:17  How did merab link up with Serra Longo gym    
00:18:05  Merabs first fights in CFFC    
00:18:48  Merabs retiring from MMA after a couple losses and losing motivation    
00:21:19  Merabs fight with Ralph during "Dana White Looking for a fight" and gettting UFC contract    
00:22:42  Training at Serra Longo during the weidman vs sylva fight    
00:24:34  Weidman winning the belt and Longo holding pads the next day    
00:26:15    How was is training at the gym after weidman won the belt    
00:28:54  Fights leading up to "Looking for a fight"    
00:30:51  First fight in the UFC    
00:31:56  Eric cornering against Merab with 3 day notice during covid with Gustavo Lopez       
00:35:30  How does Merab train to have his cardio    
00:38:00  Reporters always asking why Merab won't fight Aljo    
00:39:32  What was the conversation like with Aljo about not fighting each other       
00:43:29  Merab is on of the funniest fighters in the UFC       
00:44:50  Fan gets too comfortable with fights and merab standing up for his friends       
00:48:03  Merab does not take disrespect from fans and confronting them    
00:49:22  Whats the difference between the disrespect between Sean O'Mally and Umar    
00:53:00  How's camp going leading up to his fight in January    
00:54:39  Who are some of Merabs training partners    
00:56:15  Merabs thoughts on the fight between Illia and Halloway    
00:59:55  Merabs and Illia's relationship    
01:02:10  Merab sparring Kevin James the actor by mistake       
01:06:57  "This or That" georgian food    
01:08:30  It's important for a coach to go see the places where their fighters are from    
01:12:09  Outro

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