Overview
- Khalil Rountree Jr. said on the JAXXON podcast that Merab Dvalishvili sparred five live rounds around noon on Oct. 4, hours before UFC 320.
- Head coach John Wood confirmed the fight‑day sparring to ESPN, calling it about 70 percent and part of Dvalishvili’s routine since 2020.
- Wood said Dvalishvili also goes three to five hard rounds in the locker room with Aljamain Sterling before walking out, calling the champ a “savage.”
- That night Dvalishvili defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision, logging 20 takedowns and raising his UFC career total to 117, a company record.
- Post‑fight, Dvalishvili asked for a quick return in December and publicly called for a Petr Yan rematch.