Merab Dvalishvili says Tsarukyan cannot outwrestle Topuria, would get KO'd

Merab Dvalishvili has weighed in on a potential lightweight clash between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, publicly stating that Tsarukyan would be unable to take Topuria down and would ultimately get knocked out if the two were to meet.

Dvalishvili, the number-one ranked bantamweight contender, carries serious credibility when discussing wrestling. The 35-year-old Georgian, who fights out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, holds a 21-5 record and is ranked second in the pound-for-pound standings. He averages a remarkable 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most prolific grapplers on the roster, which gives weight to his read on wrestling matchups.

Topuria, the number-two ranked lightweight and current pound-for-pound king, stands at five-foot-seven with a 17-1 record. The 29-year-old Spaniard out of Climent Club lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and also averages 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes himself, suggesting he is no passive participant on the ground. Dvalishvili's comments imply he believes Topuria's wrestling defense would neutralize Tsarukyan's grappling game entirely.

Tsarukyan, the top-ranked lightweight contender, enters this hypothetical as a legitimate wrestling threat in his own right. The 29-year-old Russian, training out of American Top Team, owns a 23-3 record and averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. He also carries a 72-inch reach, the longest of the three fighters discussed, and connects on 50 percent of his significant strikes.

Why it matters

• Dvalishvili's wrestling expertise lends his breakdown a credibility that casual punditry lacks
• A Topuria vs. Tsarukyan fight would pit the top two lightweights against each other with a title almost certainly on the line
• The style matchup pits Tsarukyan's wrestling and reach advantage against Topuria's finishing power and counter-grappling