Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Merab Dvalishvili (red gloves) reacts after defeating Sean O’Malley (not pictured) in a bantamweight title fight during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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“Run Away” – Merab Dvalishvili Details What Fighters Must Do To Overcome Khamzat Chimaev

Some fighters inspire fear just by walking into the octagon and Khamzat Chimaev is a prime example. He has built that kind of reputation through sheer dominance. Top middleweights like Dricus Du Plessis and Robert Whittaker have fallen to his relentless pressure. The Chechen-born fighter has become a problem that nobody seems able to solve. Now, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has some advice on how to beat him. And it is refreshingly honest, if not entirely reassuring for anyone who has to face the monster.

Dvalishvili doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of fighting Chimaev. The Georgian champion laid out a simple but brutal game plan that basically amounts to survival tactics. His assessment comes from the perspective of someone who understands elite-level MMA and what it takes to compete against the very best. Dvalishvili himself has earned the nickname ‘The Machine’ for his relentless pace and cardio. But even he admits he has no interest in testing himself against Chimaev, which tells you everything you need to know about how dangerous that matchup would be for anyone brave enough to accept it.

Merab Dvalishvili Details Survival Strategy Against Khamzat Chimaev

Dvalishvili’s blueprint for beating Chimaev starts with one essential skill: elite level Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He emphasized that any fighter stepping into the cage with Chimaev needs exceptional ground game knowledge. This makes perfect sense when fans consider how many opponents Chimaev has dominated on the mat. His wrestling and grappling prowess have smothered some very good fighters. The ability to defend submissions and potentially threaten with your own becomes crucial against someone who loves taking the fight to the ground.

But here’s where Dvalishvili’s advice gets interesting and slightly amusing. His striking strategy boils down to two words: run away. The bantamweight champion stressed that fighters need to keep distance on their feet. Standing in front of Chimaev for extended periods equals danger, plain and simple. It’s not exactly the warrior mentality that fans love to celebrate, but it’s probably the most honest assessment anyone has given about facing Chimaev. Sometimes survival requires swallowing your pride and prioritizing smart tactics over looking tough.

“I don’t want to fight Khamzat… but if you do, you have to know jiu-jitsu very well. And on the feet, you have to run away and keep the distance. It’s gonna be hard. Good luck to whoever fights Khamzat next, it’s going to be a long night,” said Dvalishvili via The Schmo.

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Dvalishvili wrapped up his analysis with a sobering prediction for whoever faces Chimaev (15-0) next. He wished them good luck and warned it would be a long night. The respect in that statement is unmistakable. This comes from a champion who has faced the best bantamweights in the world without flinching. Yet even he openly admits he doesn’t want that smoke!

(Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images)

Khamzat Chimaev

Merab Dvalishvili

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!