Funk Harbor Rum founder and former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling gets elite-level cornering from current champion Merab Dvalishvili in this exclusive UFC Connected episode from Shanghai. The video provides rare behind-the-scenes access to a championship corner, capturing the strategic coaching, split-second adjustments, and raw intensity that unfolds between rounds.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/EEyQ-sJE-lE?si=aba3vzpecVTp3nx3
Beyond the technical breakdown, the footage highlights the deep bond between Sterling and Dvalishvili—two fighters whose friendship and training partnership have become legendary in MMA circles. Watch as “The Machine” delivers crucial advice and motivation while Sterling battles for bantamweight gold in front of an electric Chinese crowd.
This all-access look demonstrates what separates championship-level preparation from the rest, offering fans an insider’s perspective on the mental and tactical warfare that happens outside the octagon. It’s a testament to the team-first mentality that has propelled both fighters to the pinnacle of their division and helped Sterling build his successful ventures beyond the cage.
