Merab Dvalishvili recently appeared on The Simple Man Podcast and shared insights into how he’s developed his remarkable cardio.

Dvalishvili has consistently stood out with his ability to maintain a relentless pace throughout his fights, wearing down elite opponents over several rounds.
And, although his grappling is among the best in the sport, it’s his relentless cardio that has made a difference in numerous fights.

Dvalishvili revealed that his cardio wasn’t always this good, and it wasn’t something that came naturally to him:

I think it’s just training.
Because I remember when I started training and when I wasn’t training, I was getting tired and it was normal, like nothing.

Also in Judo it’s only a 5-minute match, there is breaks in between the match.
Every time you try something and until you start again there is breaks, it’s not like a 5-minute go.

There is breaks, when you try a takedown and before you get up and come back to the position again.
But my stomach was hurting from (being) tired, you know?

Dvalishvili explained that his cardio is the result of years of consistent effort:

Over the years I just keep pushing, training.

Even when I’m travelling, even if I’m not able to (do) sparring or wrestling, or Jiu-Jitsu, at least I run.

He further elaborated that it is exactly running – in its various forms – that is a big reason behind his superb cardio:

I’m very busy.

If I run before I have meetings or if I have to go somewhere, even if I have like one hour and 45 minutes I will just try and like run at speed.
If I finish the day and I have to run then I can run longer, I don’t measure distance.

Sometimes I have short time and I try to run (at) speed, if I train later at night or whatever I enjoy long jogging and running.

Sometimes also, like once in a while, I like to find hills and just go. If it’s short hills, up and down, up and down.