Sparring sessions in MMA gyms are usually intense affairs where fighters test their skills without trying to end careers. Most training partners find that sweet spot between going hard enough to improve and holding back enough to avoid sending anyone to the hospital. But every once in a while, fighters encounter someone whose power is so ridiculous that even light sparring feels like getting hit by a freight train. And that is the case when Merab Dvalishvili sparred with Ilia Topuria.<\/p>
The Georgian bantamweight champion recently opened up about his sparring experiences with fellow countryman Ilia Topuria. Both fighters have reached the pinnacle of their respective divisions. Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title and Topuria recently capturing UFC<\/a> lightweight gold. Their shared Georgian heritage has created a close bond between them. But that friendship apparently doesn’t extend to pulling punches in the gym.<\/p> Dvalishvili’s revelation on The Ariel Helwani Show<\/strong> about his training sessions with Topuria paints a picture of just how devastating the lightweight champion’s power is. It’s hard for a world champion like Dvalishvili to openly admit that another fighter hits too hard to spar with safely.<\/p> “I can’t spar with him anymore, he hits too hard. … He dropped me two times from body shots. Thank God, my head is fine. Every time I finish sparring with him, I was happy and thank God, it’s over. He hits very good.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>Merab Dvalishvili Reveals Getting Dropped Twice!<\/h2>