Are Merab and Aljamain friends?

Aljamain Sterling is a 35-year-old professional fighter from America who was the former UFC bantamweight champion from 2021 to 2023. Since losing his title, Sean O’Malley, Sterling is currently ranked as the No.9 featherweight contender in the division. Starting his professional career in 2011, Sterling currently boasts a record of 24 wins and 5 losses as of May 2025. From winning the bantamweight title in 2021 to getting knocked out cold by the current champion, O’Malley, the 35-year-old fighter has had three successful championship defenses.

Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili is a 34-year-old professional fighter from Georgia competing in the bantamweight division, where he reigns as the champion. Starting his professional career in 2014, Dvalishvili currently boasts a record of 19 wins and 4 losses.

Merab Dvalishvili - Aljamain Sterling friendship

Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling have been good friends for several years now. The two fighters are members of the same team, Serra-Longo, in Long Island, New York, United States. They both train at the same club. Aljamain Sterling joined the team within a few fights into his professional career, and Dvalishvili joined the team later.

The friendship between Dvalishvili and Sterling has been widely known and acknowledged by a majority of the people involved in the fight business. Even though they both compete in the same weight class, neither fighter wants to face each other because of their emotional attachment. Moreover, the UFC President, Dana White, remarked on the mentality between Sterling and Dvalishvili, claiming their approach was more or less unfit for the sport they compete in.

During Aljamain Sterling’s title reign, Merab Dvalishvili was the No. 1-ranked bantamweight contender. But Dvalishvili refused to take up a title shot against Sterling for their friendship.

Is Merab Dvalishvili in UFC 4?

Yes, Merab Dvalishvili has been added to UFC 4 since December 2022.