Georgian kickboxer Giorgi Malania had an outstanding 2024 and 2025, rising to the No. 1 spot in the Beyond Kickboxing -64 KG rankings. With most of China's top fighters already on his resume, the 21-year-old spoke to Kevin Strobel about his future ambitions on the international stage, training in Georgia, and life outside the ring.
How did you first get into kickboxing?
When I was a child I was full of energy - constantly moving, jumping, and always looking for something to do. Naturally, my parents wanted to channel that energy into something good. And they just wanted me to get tired somewhere - so I wouldn’t be bouncing off the walls at home.
At the same time, I was completely captivated by action movies, especially those starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Films like ‘Kickboxer’ and ‘Bloodsport’ were pure inspiration. I was in awe of his moves and spent hours trying to imitate the punches and kicks. In the end, my parents decided to sign me up for a kickboxing club when I was six years old. And I was absolutely thrilled.
It’s been six months since your last fight and the big tournament win in China—how has life been for you since then?
After the tournament, it really felt like a new stage of responsibility had started for me - especially now that I see how the younger generation in my team looks up to me. And I want to set a good example and give them motivation to work hard every single day.
Of course, I started working even more productively. I still train twice a day, with no days off. But I also feel like I’m growing - not just physically, but mentally as well. Right now, my motivation is only getting stronger day by day. I’ll do everything to keep winning and my ultimate goal is to win all the major belts that exist in kickboxing.
You’ve recently competed in two 4-man tournaments. Do you enjoy the tournament format? And when it comes to strategy—do you approach each fight individually, or plan with the whole bracket in mind?
I really enjoy this format because it’s not just about technique - it also tests your endurance, mental strength, and ability to adapt quickly.
As for strategy, I focus on each fight individually. My coach, Mamuka Shonia, and I analyze every opponent separately - their strengths and weaknesses. Since we don’t know who will make it to the final, who will win or lose, we prepare for each possible opponent. So when I step into the ring, I already know what to expect and what kind of strategy might work best.
My last two fights stood out for me - I was able to clearly show the difference in levels at that moment. In the first fight, I felt in control throughout. I managed to knock my opponent down and followed the game plan we had worked on during training.
In the second fight, it ended in the first round. I was able to finish the opponent early by not giving him much space to work. That outcome came from both technical preparation and mental focus.
What do you enjoy doing outside of fighting?
Even outside the gym, I stay close to sports - I enjoy running in nature, eating healthy, and making sure I recover properly. It’s all part of the lifestyle for me now.
I recently came back from a training camp at Venum in Thailand, and what stood out to me the most were the runs we did there. We had everything - beach runs, mountain runs, and long-distance sessions. The views around were really beautiful which made the hard work a lot more enjoyable.
When I return from tournaments and camps - after being away from my family and friends - we usually walk through the streets of Tbilisi. I’m not a big fan of loud parties. I much prefer simple walks through the old city - it’s called Dzveli Tbilisi - then past Liberty Square. My coach doesn’t really like it, since after tournaments and long flights I should be resting more, not walking around too much. But I think Mamuka understands me - it’s something I need for my mental recovery.
I also often go to the sulfur baths in the old town with my team and friends. It’s a famous spot here with more than 300 years of history. There’s a whole district built on natural sulfur springs. The baths are great for recovery, so I try to go there whenever I get the chance.
And of course, I love Georgian food. I’m a huge fan of khinkali, and my mom makes amazing Megruli khachapuri. I have a sweet tooth too - I can’t resist my mom’s homemade cakes and pastries.
Can you talk about your experience fighting in China? Did it meet your expectations, or was there anything that surprised you—either in or outside the ring?
Fighting in China was an unforgettable experience. The event was organized at the highest level - from the venue to the smallest details, and the fans… absolutely incredible. It all exceeded my expectations.
I’m especially grateful for the warm welcome from the tournament organizers. During the event, it happened to be my birthday, and they surprised me with a cake and sang Happy Birthday - it was a really touching moment. I also felt the support from the crowd, even though I was facing a well-known Chinese fighter. In China, they truly appreciate warriors, and I believe I earned their recognition with my performance.
WLF seems to be going through a rough patch, with several events postponed. Have you received any updates from them, and are you concerned about the situation?
Yes, I’m aware that WLF has been facing some delays. I do receive updates, but I’m staying calm - the most important thing is that I’m always ready. When the opportunity comes, I’ll step in even stronger.
You’ve already faced nearly all of WLF’s top-ranked fighters. What’s next for your career?
The next step is the international stage. I want to test myself in promotions like ONE, GLORY or K-1. That’s my plan and I’m working on it every day.
65 KG has been a busy weight class across the globe. ONE Championship is heating up, GLORY and RISE have their Grand Prix, and the K-1 title is currently vacant. Where do you see yourself fitting in there?
My place is wherever the strongest fighters compete. The 65 kg division is full of talent, and I’m confident I can compete with the best.
For example, let’s take Petchpanomrung, who is the GLORY featherweight champion now, and also Miguel Trindade from Portugal, the current number two.
Even if I were told we’d fight next week, I’m ready to step in, face them, and beat them. I’m prepared to take the belt from Petchpanomrung, who has defended it for a long time, at the first opportunity - and that’s exactly what I’m aiming for.
Are there any opponents, regardless of promotion, that particularly interest you?
Superlek, Jonathan Haggerty - I’m ready to fight with the best ones.
How would you describe your fighting style?
I would describe my fighting style as a combination of technique and aggression. By aggression, I mean that when I get hit, I don’t just stand still or back down - I always respond and keep fighting until the very end.
However, I’d prefer to keep some of the more detailed aspects of my style a secret - after all, I still have many opponents ahead, and I don’t want to reveal all my strengths.
And besides, any fighter who’s truly interested in my style should take the time to study it themselves.
You’ve spent the last month at Venum Training Camp in Pattaya. How was your experience training alongside Elbrus Osmanov, Nabil, and Tawanchai?
I really appreciated the opportunity to train at Venum Training Camp, especially alongside athletes from top-tier promotions.
One thing I wanted to find out during the camp was whether I could match that level - and through the training, I came to see that I can already compete with these fighters and even be a problem for them. That realization gave me a big boost in motivation.
The atmosphere at the camp was super positive though. I felt like the guys were glad to see me there. They told me they liked my fighting style, and every time we trained together, we sparred. I could tell they also got a lot out of working with me. We followed each other on Instagram and had some good conversations about our different journeys to where we are now.
You never know - maybe one day we’ll meet in the ring. Either way, they’re great guys and I have a lot of respect for them.
Most of your training camps take place in Georgia. How is the kickboxing scene developing there?
Yes, I do all my fight preparations in Georgia, under the close eye of my coach, Mamuka Shonia.
It just makes sense for me to train here - because my team and sparring partners are here. They are talented, driven, hungry for victory, and I’m confident that in the future, they’ll make a name for themselves too.
And honestly, I really love nature in Georgia. I enjoy training by the sea. The sea air, the open space, and the feeling of freedom - it all gives me a special kind of energy.
At the same time, the Georgian mountains are something incredible. Our country is truly blessed - you can visit both the mountains and the sea in a single day. This natural diversity creates the perfect conditions for both mental and physical growth. I feel completely comfortable here.
As for the level of kickboxing in Georgia - I can definitely see it rising. Thanks to the efforts of people like Davit Kiria, Bachuki Partsvania, Mamuka Shonia, and others, many kickboxing tournaments are now being held in Georgia - such as Max Fight League and more. These events give young talents a platform and a real chance to test themselves and grow before stepping onto the international stage.
I believe that with stronger support and investment from the government, the sport could grow even faster and reach new heights - though, of course, that kind of change takes time.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors for their constant support and standing by me. Your trust and backing mean a lot to me.
You’re one of Davit Kiria’s protégés; how did he influence your career, and the sport in Georgia?
Davit Kiria and my coach, Mamuka Shonia, grew up together - they trained under the guidance of Bachuki Partsvania. And I want to say that we’re not just a team - we’re a family. There’s a clear sense passed down that a student should strive to one day surpass their teacher. Our coaches put in everything they have - all their time, energy and experience - to help us succeed.
When I was around 15 or 16, Davit was preparing for his fights, and Mamuka was helping him with his training. I remember how much I wanted to be around them, to learn, to watch Davit succeed. As I got older, I became his sparring partner, which was a huge motivation for me and gave me valuable experience. I’m grateful to Davit for the knowledge I gained during those training camps. And I think he was also happy to have a young, still inexperienced, but very driven sparring partner by his side.
Davit became a role model for me when it comes to hard work and dedication - I saw firsthand how much effort he puts in to achieve success. And I’m sure he’s an inspiration for every young kickboxer in Georgia.
We still keep in touch and talk regularly. Davit checks in on me, asks how my training is going, what’s next. I truly appreciate our friendship.
Any words for your fans?
My biggest fans are my parents and my brother. I want to thank them for their support - the joy in their eyes is my greatest motivation.
I also want to thank my team, and especially Mamuka Shonia. Mamuka is a huge role model for me - he’s not just a coach, but also a father figure and a friend. He’s always there for me, no matter what. He’s played a big part not only in making me physically strong but also spiritually grounded. Every Sunday, if there’s no tournament, all our team goes to church together as Orthodox Christians - we confess, we take communion. That gives me strength.
I’m also very grateful to Bachuki Partsvania, who supports me in every way as I work toward becoming a world champion. These are the people who stay behind the scenes, but every day they do everything they can to help me succeed.
Thank you to everyone who stands by me - it truly means a lot. I work hard not only to achieve my goals, but to be an example for children and the next generation of fighters. I want to say that I’ll keep making you proud with my victories, and I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to do so.
