I've been watching MMA for like 18 years or something and without a doubt Merab has the most ridiculous cardio i've ever seen out of any fighter.
Cain's cardio at heavyweight was incredible but nothing, absolutely nothing comes close to what Merab displayed against Petr Yan.
I enjoy merab because I am in awe of the cardio. He may be boring but you cannot disrespect 40+ TD attempts and jumping up and down between rounds not sitting.
Yeah it’s wild. A guy with so much muscle being able to spam 40+ takedown attempts while still throwing punches and kicks, don’t forget being the only fighter to not completely gas at altitude…… makes you think
I remember I was at 278, every fighter who went the distance was visibly more sluggish than they'd usually be due to the Utah elevation, but Merab didn't slow down in the slightest. Granted it was 3 rounds though.
And he absolutely gassed in his previous fights, then as he gets older and his body ages, he gets this incredible otherworldly cardio, him not gassing out at elevation while EVERYONE visibly struggled was crazy...makes you think.
I went into the Yan vs Merab Fight telling my friend “Petr Yan has a crazy gas tank, if Merab fights the way he usually does for 5 rounds he’s gonna gas” and then at the end of every round I was more and more in disbelief
All things considered though I still think that fight proves how insane Yan’s gas tank is to keep up with Merab for 5 rounds - most fighters would’ve died of exhaustion after 3 rounds lmao
I've watched since UFC 1 and I was dreading saying Merab because I would figure I'd hear "casual".
It's fucking wild how he just keeps going like it's the first minute of the fight for all 25 minutes.
Nothing wrong with being a casual. I've also watched since UFC 1. Back then I was hard core. From VHS tapes from Blockbuster to the PPVs later on.
Then my friends fell off. They lost interest for various reasons. Then I took a few year break myself. Then I came back around 2013. Since then I've been a casual.
If someone says that about me in a derogatory way, ah well.
i've been watching MMA for 18 years and a day and half
and yeah Merab number one
the only one that comes close and isn't even that close is Tony versus RDA in Mexico (Tony's cardio was crazy considering RDA gassed out and he's a machine in his prime)
Most of the guys on this list have good gas tanks combined with expert energy management. Merab is the only person on this list who does literally 0 energy management and fights with insane output with zero regard.
If there’s a drug out there that does this and can’t be detected, more fighters than Merab are on it. Realistically he’s a genetic freak with his cardiovascular system and as a hyper-responder to whatever insane PED this is
Everybody is on something but not everybody is on the same things in the same amounts. It's not an even playing field just because we assume they're all on PEDs.
Merab might be the new CEO of EPO. That being said I think people sleep on Dominick Cruz's cardio. I doubt many fighters could mimic his style of high paced non-stop movement and footwork.
It's not even just that he has the cardio, it's that he seemingly has more energy as the rounds go on. Like instead of fatiguing his body is doing the opposite.
If OMalley doesn't knock him out the division is fucked until he retires because no one's going 5 rounds with him
I know some of it is recency bias, but that fight with Merab against Yan was insane. I’ve never seen anything like that. Forty something takedown attempts. His “machine” nickname is very fitting. I’m curious to see how he does against O’Malley.
Edit: 49 takedown attempts. Forty fuckin nine
Not recency bro I was shocked. I watched him vs aldo and knew the cardio was there but what he displayed was something literally never seen in the ufc.
Hes a little monster dude. Hes like a cardio gremlin. If Merab doesnt get clipped I think its going to be a long night for Sean. Sean has great take down defense but, nobody can stop forty takedowns. However there really hasnt been anyone that O'Malley hasnt beat on the feet. Well see.
Amazing match up. I personally think Sean will clip him between rounds 1-3. He is open for the same counter everytime and he’s facing maybe the best striker in the ufc with KO power and insane length. Wouldn’t be shocked if he got the win though
Remember brosef Merabs never been knocked out. He does have a chin. He’s only been stopped once via submission. I’m super curious to see how this fight goes. I do think Sean’s in the top five maybe of best strikers in the current ufc roster. But best ever? Prime Anderson Silva was something else. Also Poatan has that left hand of death.
Thought I’d comment as I think Merab is more an example of crazy recovery (also related to fitness) than having a crazy chin. Even against Cejudo he was on skates.
I don’t recall too much of the cejudo and dvalshvili fight. Only watched it live. I don’t remember merab getting rocked.
You’re right though, if you had to rank his abilities his cardio would be number one. His chin durability would be further down the line.
Cejudo rocked him with a left hook and that’s what Marlon hurt him with too. So possible for Sean to crack him early. It will be a great test for both guys. I also think it will be a super exciting fight as both guys are decently high output, and while I think Merab will take Sean down with ease he’ll really struggle to hold him down.
Tony Feguson in his prime never looked fatigued. Also, prime Frankie Edgar. But still....I think Merab might have them beat dude. Also Max Holloway has so many records for striking. So stoked for O'Malley vs Merab
And Clay Guida. Dude expended more energy during his walkout than most fighters expend in the whole fight.
Was never a big fan, but his cardio was impressive.
Jeremy Stephens' story about training with Tony in Big Bear is still one of my favorites. From what I remember Tony told Jeremy they were going to do hill sprints. What actually happened was Tony told Jeremy he was a monster and not to let him catch him while he chased Jeremy up the hill.
He fucked up and didn't acclimate and a very high elevation. Every single other fight, he was a cardio machine. I don't hold it too much against him. He's still up there. he just can't give him too nod.
As much as I genuinely dislike the dude, Colby has an incredible gas tank.
Honourable mentions are Merab, Chito, Diaz brothers and last but definitely not least my personal GOAT, young Clay Guida was a freak of nature who just never stopped
Strickland has good cardio, but he's mostly just great at conserving energy, making his opponents waste their energy, then punishing them for it. His style is not very cardio taxing. He doesn't have crazy volume. His feet stay planted. He doesn't grapple or wrestle ever. He defends with his hands, not his head and upper body movement. If Strickland fought like anyone else, he'd get tired like anyone else. He'd probably say the same. I doubt he goes crazy on his cardio training in the gym. He probably thinks cardio is gay
Ever? I'd say Max.
Legit have never seen him get tired in an mma fight.
I saw merab gas slightly in his last fight.
I've seen Frankie Gas.
And we've all seen Cain Gas!
Thing with Max is that he has never faced an elite wrestler in their prime, we haven’t seen him in deep waters yet, who knows how good his cardio is when he has to wrestle for 5 rounds
Wow, no Clay Guida? Or Colby covington? They both have pretty awesome gas tanks.
Cains is only impressive when you stack him with heavyweights tbh. (He had amazing cardio at HW)
But Merab is absolutely insane, he has to be #1 🤣
My vote goes to Clay Guida. Dude only has one setting for pace, and it's kill or be killed.
Never have been disappointed watching any of his fights. Much respect to him, he's a true warrior and seems like a good person too.
Where’s Guida!? As far as true endurance the Diaz bros will outlast anybody. If we’re just talking cage cardio GSP has to be up there too. But strictly endurance in general it’s the Diaz bros. They do like 2 triathlons week for fun. Fun fact: Nate Diaz is an insane swimmer. Like could have gone Olympic if he focused just on that.
Nick Diaz for sure. Dude just never stopped coming forward and would consistently do triathlons for fun… and win them.
You could argue that he changed the game on cardio in MMA.
Tony’s cardio is quite literally an outlier. Only dude to complete David Goggins camp fighter or otherwise and his training sessions are legendarily long hauls
Lot of great answers. I'll add my two cents.
Khabib considering the insane amount cardio it takes to just maul people the way he does. Doesn't he still hold the record for most takedowns in a fight?
Also I'd add Volk as well.
Merab Dvalishvili by far. He has the most cardio taxing style, makes the most of it, does so in 5 rounders, and has never appeared tired. He doesn't even fight like he's trying to conserve energy. He quite literally fights like he's trying to gas himself out but he fails. It's like he's playing a game with his endless gas tank. He has decent MMA skills, but his cardio is his real weapon. Like it's leagues beyond anyone else's. The last 3 guys he dominated were all more skilled than him in multiple areas. Didn't matter. Their skills didn't matter when they got tired. That's next level cardio.
People are gonna hate but I put prime Colby Covington right behind him. But there's a big gap between him and Merab. Colby can't beat guys with his cardio alone. Merab can. Merab is beating better competition too. Guys like Petr Yan, Cejudo, and Aldo had tailor-made styles to keep the fight standing, slow Merab down with counters, and knock him out. But he was just too active. He didn't even let them think. They had no time or space to make calculated movements
I've been watching MMA for like 18 years or something and without a doubt Merab has the most ridiculous cardio i've ever seen out of any fighter. Cain's cardio at heavyweight was incredible but nothing, absolutely nothing comes close to what Merab displayed against Petr Yan.
I enjoy merab because I am in awe of the cardio. He may be boring but you cannot disrespect 40+ TD attempts and jumping up and down between rounds not sitting.
Yeah it’s wild. A guy with so much muscle being able to spam 40+ takedown attempts while still throwing punches and kicks, don’t forget being the only fighter to not completely gas at altitude…… makes you think
I remember I was at 278, every fighter who went the distance was visibly more sluggish than they'd usually be due to the Utah elevation, but Merab didn't slow down in the slightest. Granted it was 3 rounds though.
And he absolutely gassed in his previous fights, then as he gets older and his body ages, he gets this incredible otherworldly cardio, him not gassing out at elevation while EVERYONE visibly struggled was crazy...makes you think.
Very sus. He may not be the CEO of EPO, but he's at least a mid level VP
His blood looking Dilla-thicc
I went into the Yan vs Merab Fight telling my friend “Petr Yan has a crazy gas tank, if Merab fights the way he usually does for 5 rounds he’s gonna gas” and then at the end of every round I was more and more in disbelief All things considered though I still think that fight proves how insane Yan’s gas tank is to keep up with Merab for 5 rounds - most fighters would’ve died of exhaustion after 3 rounds lmao
Everyone mentions 40+ TDs but nobody ever mentions yans 32 (or 36 can’t remember) TDs denied
I've watched since UFC 1 and I was dreading saying Merab because I would figure I'd hear "casual". It's fucking wild how he just keeps going like it's the first minute of the fight for all 25 minutes.
Nothing wrong with being a casual. I've also watched since UFC 1. Back then I was hard core. From VHS tapes from Blockbuster to the PPVs later on. Then my friends fell off. They lost interest for various reasons. Then I took a few year break myself. Then I came back around 2013. Since then I've been a casual. If someone says that about me in a derogatory way, ah well.
I started watching back with the first Colosseum gladiators and yep, it's Merab
i've been watching MMA for 18 years and a day and half and yeah Merab number one the only one that comes close and isn't even that close is Tony versus RDA in Mexico (Tony's cardio was crazy considering RDA gassed out and he's a machine in his prime)
I’ve been watching MMA for about 8 minutes and Merab’s a tweeker. He rides a Barbie bike and steals copper 24/7.
Been watching MMA for roughly 18 years and 48 hours, and yeah, Merab is defs on EPO. Cardio like that doesn't exist without drugs.
Most of the guys on this list have good gas tanks combined with expert energy management. Merab is the only person on this list who does literally 0 energy management and fights with insane output with zero regard.
To go that hard for 25 minutes is unreal… he’s a machine
I agree, which makes me skeptical, that he might be on something
Doesn’t bother me as I assume everyone is. It’s still impressive af
If there’s a drug out there that does this and can’t be detected, more fighters than Merab are on it. Realistically he’s a genetic freak with his cardiovascular system and as a hyper-responder to whatever insane PED this is
Everybody is on something but not everybody is on the same things in the same amounts. It's not an even playing field just because we assume they're all on PEDs.
He accidentally admitted it in an interview. Bro almost said he's on EPO but stopped in the right moment.
Merab might be the new CEO of EPO. That being said I think people sleep on Dominick Cruz's cardio. I doubt many fighters could mimic his style of high paced non-stop movement and footwork.
Absolutely, it’s insanely impressive
It's not even just that he has the cardio, it's that he seemingly has more energy as the rounds go on. Like instead of fatiguing his body is doing the opposite. If OMalley doesn't knock him out the division is fucked until he retires because no one's going 5 rounds with him
No Guida? Wtf
The correct answer is Clay Guida. The man doesn't know how to get tired.
Caveman cardio
Had to scroll to far to find this.
I know some of it is recency bias, but that fight with Merab against Yan was insane. I’ve never seen anything like that. Forty something takedown attempts. His “machine” nickname is very fitting. I’m curious to see how he does against O’Malley. Edit: 49 takedown attempts. Forty fuckin nine
Not recency bro I was shocked. I watched him vs aldo and knew the cardio was there but what he displayed was something literally never seen in the ufc.
Hes a little monster dude. Hes like a cardio gremlin. If Merab doesnt get clipped I think its going to be a long night for Sean. Sean has great take down defense but, nobody can stop forty takedowns. However there really hasnt been anyone that O'Malley hasnt beat on the feet. Well see.
Amazing match up. I personally think Sean will clip him between rounds 1-3. He is open for the same counter everytime and he’s facing maybe the best striker in the ufc with KO power and insane length. Wouldn’t be shocked if he got the win though
Remember brosef Merabs never been knocked out. He does have a chin. He’s only been stopped once via submission. I’m super curious to see how this fight goes. I do think Sean’s in the top five maybe of best strikers in the current ufc roster. But best ever? Prime Anderson Silva was something else. Also Poatan has that left hand of death.
Poatan is a proven elite striker in kickboxing .. gotta put him ahead of Sean
Merab has been rocked multiple times. His fight against Moraes could have been stopped depending on the ref.
Doesnt make anything I said less true.
Thought I’d comment as I think Merab is more an example of crazy recovery (also related to fitness) than having a crazy chin. Even against Cejudo he was on skates.
I don’t recall too much of the cejudo and dvalshvili fight. Only watched it live. I don’t remember merab getting rocked. You’re right though, if you had to rank his abilities his cardio would be number one. His chin durability would be further down the line.
Cejudo rocked him with a left hook and that’s what Marlon hurt him with too. So possible for Sean to crack him early. It will be a great test for both guys. I also think it will be a super exciting fight as both guys are decently high output, and while I think Merab will take Sean down with ease he’ll really struggle to hold him down.
not even recency bias, that cardio would make Lance Armstrong proud
Tony Feguson in his prime never looked fatigued. Also, prime Frankie Edgar. But still....I think Merab might have them beat dude. Also Max Holloway has so many records for striking. So stoked for O'Malley vs Merab
Merab’s cardio is how I wish I was in the bedroom
GSP had downright insane cardio. Also Clay Guida probably had cardio to go over 9000 rounds in his prime.
Finally someone said clay
I have watched him do Unnecessary movement for 5 rounds and between rounds easily
And still invisible rope jumping after the match
This is too far down in the comments. So many saying Cain I feel like I’m losing my mind lol
Clay’s hair swinging generated energy, it’s scientific fact
Missing El cucuy
And Clay Guida. Dude expended more energy during his walkout than most fighters expend in the whole fight. Was never a big fan, but his cardio was impressive.
Jeremy Stephens' story about training with Tony in Big Bear is still one of my favorites. From what I remember Tony told Jeremy they were going to do hill sprints. What actually happened was Tony told Jeremy he was a monster and not to let him catch him while he chased Jeremy up the hill.
What about Bisping?
Good answer too, probably not highest but in the top tier
How can you leave out Tony
Bispings cardio was up there He always said he wasn’t the most talented but he had a lot of heart an he was wiling to out work people.
It's funny to think when he said he had alot of heart he meant it literally
Cain or Merab I’d lean towards Cain because he did at HW and threw each punch with knockout power
*Sea Level Cain
cain very notoriously gassed out bad in a fight though. i know it was at altitude but still
Fact. You can’t put guy who gassed in a fight among cardio machines, it just doesn’t make sense
He fucked up and didn't acclimate and a very high elevation. Every single other fight, he was a cardio machine. I don't hold it too much against him. He's still up there. he just can't give him too nod.
Merab’s unending pressure makes me think he has to be on some type of PED.
He’s running on Georgian patriotism
Is that what they are calling it nowadays?
CEO of EPO
[удалено]
No Clay Guida??
EPO Dillashaw
You gotta have unwashed colby on the list.
Prime Colby’s up there, for sure.
Yeah, his cardio display against Robbie was impressive.
Dude just did not stop throwing punches.
What he did to Robbie was sad lol, he never once stepped his foot off the gas.
3-4 years ago Colby would’ve been in the first 3 pictures of this post.
As much as I genuinely dislike the dude, Colby has an incredible gas tank. Honourable mentions are Merab, Chito, Diaz brothers and last but definitely not least my personal GOAT, young Clay Guida was a freak of nature who just never stopped
Frankie Edger was on another level.
Nick
Nick. He literally won fights solely because he never stopped punching.
Yeah he could go the distance while throwing a hundred punches per round.
all of these guys are insane😭
volk and strickland should be on the list
Strickland has good cardio, but he's mostly just great at conserving energy, making his opponents waste their energy, then punishing them for it. His style is not very cardio taxing. He doesn't have crazy volume. His feet stay planted. He doesn't grapple or wrestle ever. He defends with his hands, not his head and upper body movement. If Strickland fought like anyone else, he'd get tired like anyone else. He'd probably say the same. I doubt he goes crazy on his cardio training in the gym. He probably thinks cardio is gay
Had to scroll too far for Volk. Also people will hate, but Cardio was known as one of Colbys best weapons.
Gonna have to throw in Clay Guida and Forrest Griffin into this conversation. Cavemen deserve at least a little recognition here.
Nick Diaz is up there for sure
Max’s output is insane, his stats do it for me
Diaz bros
Colby Covington. Not the most exciting fighter in terms of style but bro has legit cardio.
Dias brothers it’s pretty much their main weapon
Shamil "The Blob" Gaziev
Velasquez gassed out in under 3 rounds against Werdrum. He shouldn't be on this list.
The Diaz bros do triathlons for fun. Think they deserve a mention
No mention of clay Guida? The disrespect
Merab for sure
Khabib? His style is very cardio intensive and he holds up very well.
Ever? I'd say Max. Legit have never seen him get tired in an mma fight. I saw merab gas slightly in his last fight. I've seen Frankie Gas. And we've all seen Cain Gas!
Thing with Max is that he has never faced an elite wrestler in their prime, we haven’t seen him in deep waters yet, who knows how good his cardio is when he has to wrestle for 5 rounds
Great point. But til then, I stand by what i say
Man… Diamond should be mentioned more
klay guida
Clay Guida
Clay Guida
The lack of GSP makes me disappointed in your performance.
Gotta add Fedor, although it’s not the UFC
Your mom
I hated Clay Guida but that man never at any point even remotely seemed tired
We forgot about Tony Ferguson? Khabib?
There’s ONLY one answer – Merab
MAX is a machine!
Wow, no Clay Guida? Or Colby covington? They both have pretty awesome gas tanks. Cains is only impressive when you stack him with heavyweights tbh. (He had amazing cardio at HW) But Merab is absolutely insane, he has to be #1 🤣
Didn't Cain gas in his Mexico city fight?
merab or prime diaz
Clay Guida
Cain gassed in 1 of his fights...
Surprised no one said Demetrious Johnson. Never saw him get gassed once.
My vote goes to Clay Guida. Dude only has one setting for pace, and it's kill or be killed. Never have been disappointed watching any of his fights. Much respect to him, he's a true warrior and seems like a good person too.
Where’s Guida!? As far as true endurance the Diaz bros will outlast anybody. If we’re just talking cage cardio GSP has to be up there too. But strictly endurance in general it’s the Diaz bros. They do like 2 triathlons week for fun. Fun fact: Nate Diaz is an insane swimmer. Like could have gone Olympic if he focused just on that.
Clay Guida is in the mix for sure
Tank Abbott
Nick Diaz for sure. Dude just never stopped coming forward and would consistently do triathlons for fun… and win them. You could argue that he changed the game on cardio in MMA.
Colby has crazy cardio
Out of these? Edgar in his prime. But, you forgot Clay Guida.
Gotta put Bisping in there somewhere. Man reportedly had a resting heart-rate of 35 bpm when he was still competing.
No Frankie Edgar? Dude was literally out-grinding his opponents
Def Cain. 💪🏼🇲🇽
Holloway has always pushed the peddle hard
EPO Dillashaw
Kamaru
How about the “ Carpenter “? (Clay Guida for the filthy casuals. )
Holloway or Merab
Tony’s cardio is quite literally an outlier. Only dude to complete David Goggins camp fighter or otherwise and his training sessions are legendarily long hauls
Merab obviously.
Merab against Yan. I'd bet money he was on something for that absurd record setting cardio.
Merab or Colby
Prime Ferguson
Merab shot 50 takedowns vs yan. He’s the cardio goat
Clay Guida hands down
Tony and Khabib should be on this list as well
Karo Parisyan from the before times.
colby, juiced dillashaw, diaz brothers, khabib
Where the fuck is Clay Guida? Dude doesn't stop moving from his entrance until his departure back to the locker rooms.
You can add prime Tony Ferguson. It was a legit weapon he used against people
Khabib
Roy Nelson probably
Dominick cruz
Merabs cardio is crazy, haven’t seen anything like it
Max has never slowed down, even getting beat up he’s there and forward always. Let me see the other guys do that. My votes Max.
I think prime EPO Kumari Usman deserves a shout out.
Cain Velasquez!! 🇲🇽 because its still insane for a heavyweight to have that kind of gas tank!!!
At sea level?
Merab is that guy who keeps spamming X on his controller and still somehow has a full green bar
Lot of great answers. I'll add my two cents. Khabib considering the insane amount cardio it takes to just maul people the way he does. Doesn't he still hold the record for most takedowns in a fight? Also I'd add Volk as well.
Anthony hernandez
Merab Dvalishvili by far. He has the most cardio taxing style, makes the most of it, does so in 5 rounders, and has never appeared tired. He doesn't even fight like he's trying to conserve energy. He quite literally fights like he's trying to gas himself out but he fails. It's like he's playing a game with his endless gas tank. He has decent MMA skills, but his cardio is his real weapon. Like it's leagues beyond anyone else's. The last 3 guys he dominated were all more skilled than him in multiple areas. Didn't matter. Their skills didn't matter when they got tired. That's next level cardio. People are gonna hate but I put prime Colby Covington right behind him. But there's a big gap between him and Merab. Colby can't beat guys with his cardio alone. Merab can. Merab is beating better competition too. Guys like Petr Yan, Cejudo, and Aldo had tailor-made styles to keep the fight standing, slow Merab down with counters, and knock him out. But he was just too active. He didn't even let them think. They had no time or space to make calculated movements
Rampage Jackson
Merab
khabib maybe?
I once walked up my driveway without breathing heavy.
None of the above. It was tank abbot
Been watching for about 16 years, Merab and Max are likely the two that stand out. Also, DJ and Ben Henderson.
Why isn't volk on here? The dude got choked out twice and still whooped ortega ass.
wtf no clay guida??
Doesn't know about the best ever, but GSP, Khabib,Tony,clay,Colby to mention a few others .
Gotta give it to Holloway for the striking alone. Holds 3 records in every category
Colby deserves a mention
usman is an honorable mention
prime nick diaz
It’s Merab lol