Merab Dvalishvili doesn’t view Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as just another martial art – he sees it as the foundation of self-defense.
The former UFC bantamweight champion recently spoke about his lifelong connection to grappling and why he believes Jiu-Jitsu, by itself, can be enough to protect someone in a dangerous situation.
His confidence comes from starting young and building his understanding of grappling through both judo and Jiu-Jitsu:
I start Jiu-Jitsu early age because I start judo early age…
Jiu-Jitsu is the best.Even if you don’t do anything else, long as you have Jiu-Jitsu you fine.
You go walk whatever you want, you can choke people, tap out people.
His view reflects one of the core principles behind the art: technique and leverage over raw athleticism.
Unlike striking-based disciplines that often depend heavily on speed, size, or power, Jiu-Jitsu allows a smaller or older practitioner to control an opponent through positioning, balance, and submission holds.
Dvalishvili also pushed back against the common belief that someone needs to start training young to benefit from grappling.
He encouraged beginners of any age to step onto the mats:
Jiu-Jitsu, it’s never late you guys.
If you guys (train) and (even if you are) not training, Jiu-Jitsu is never late (to start).
You can still learn. It’s better late than never, you know.
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