Merab Dvalishvili stated that while he likes Arman Tsarukyan and considers him an excellent fighter, he believes Ilia Topuria will defeat him. Dvalishvili predicts Tsarukyan will be unable to take Topuria down and will be knocked out when he attempts to box with him. Separately, Dvalishvili reflected on his title fight with Petr Yan, saying Yan prepared specifically for him with a unique and tough style, landing painful body kicks that forced him to pressure forward. Dvalishvili also mentioned that on that day, he believed he could beat everyone except Yan.
Merab Dvalishvili has gone on record backing Ilia Topuria to stop Arman Tsarukyan, while also opening up about the challenges he faced in his own title fight against Petr Yan.
Dvalishvili, ranked first in the bantamweight division at 35 years old, carries a 21-5 record and is one of the most relentless wrestlers in the sport. The Georgian fighter, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, averages an extraordinary 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes — a figure that underlines how much his game is built around controlling opponents on the mat. He expressed genuine respect for Tsarukyan as a fighter but was clear in his belief that Topuria will come out on top in their matchup.
His prediction centers on Tsarukyan's ability — or lack thereof — to get the fight to the ground. Dvalishvili believes Topuria will stuff the takedown attempts and that Tsarukyan will pay the price when the exchanges turn to boxing.
Topuria, 29, enters as the number-two ranked lightweight and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings with a 17-1 record. The Spain-based Georgian lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and also contributes nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes himself, making him a threat in multiple areas.
Dvalishvili also reflected on his bantamweight title fight with Petr Yan, the current champion. He described Yan's preparation as precise and difficult to navigate, noting that targeted body kicks hurt him and pushed him into a more forward-pressuring approach than he might have preferred. He acknowledged that on that particular night, Yan was the one fighter he felt he could not beat.
Yan, 33, holds a 20-5 record and backs up his champion status with the highest striking output of the three men discussed, landing 5.12 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 54 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Topuria's transition to lightweight is one of the division's most anticipated developments, and Dvalishvili's endorsement adds further weight to expectations surrounding him.
- Dvalishvili's candid reflection on the Yan loss offers rare insight into how a targeted, adaptive game plan can neutralize even the most relentless wrestlers.
- The comments keep pressure on the lightweight title picture and signal that Dvalishvili remains motivated to eventually reclaim his shot at bantamweight gold.
