Merab Dvalishvili says Arman Tsarukyan cannot outwrestle Ilia Topuria

Merab Dvalishvili has weighed in on the lightweight picture, predicting that Arman Tsarukyan will be knocked out if he tries to wrestle Ilia Topuria rather than finding a different path to victory.

Dvalishvili, one of the most credible voices on grappling in the sport, holds a 21-5 record and sits ranked number one in the bantamweight division with a pound-for-pound ranking of two. The 35-year-old Georgian, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, is one of the most relentless wrestlers in MMA, averaging a remarkable 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes. His assessment of a wrestling-based approach against Topuria carries weight precisely because takedown offense is his specialty.

Topuria, the 29-year-old Spanish finisher currently ranked second at lightweight and number one pound-for-pound, carries a 17-1 record and a reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport. Fighting out of Climent Club, "El Matador" lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and also contributes 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes himself, making him a genuine threat in multiple phases. Dvalishvili's argument implies that any wrestler who commits to that game plan hands Topuria the openings he needs to land the shots that end fights.

Tsarukyan, ranked first in the lightweight division at 23-3, is no grappling novice. The 29-year-old Russian averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes out of American Top Team, and his 72-inch reach gives him physical tools that most opponents cannot match. However, Dvalishvili appears to believe those numbers will not be enough against Topuria's particular brand of counter-finishing.

Why it matters

• Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender and a likely next title challenger
• Topuria's pound-for-pound number one status makes this matchup one of the most anticipated in the division
• Dvalishvili's elite wrestling credentials lend unusual authority to his tactical read on the grappling dynamics