Merab Dvalishvili stated that while he likes Arman Tsarukyan and considers him a great fighter, Ilia Topuria will defeat him. Dvalishvili believes Tsarukyan will be unable to take Topuria down and will be knocked out when he tries to box with Ilia. Regarding his own fight with Petr Yan, Merab acknowledged that Yan was particularly well-prepared and landed painful body kicks. He also noted that on that night, he could have beaten anyone except Yan, specifically praising Yan's unique style and toughness.
Merab Dvalishvili has gone on record predicting that Ilia Topuria will stop Arman Tsarukyan, while also opening up about the challenges he faced in his own recent bout against Petr Yan.
Dvalishvili, ranked first in the bantamweight division at 35 years old, carries a 21-5 record and holds the number-two spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Georgian wrestler out of Serra-Longo Fight Team is one of the most relentless grapplers in the sport, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes. Despite his praise for Tsarukyan, Dvalishvili believes the Armenian fighter will find it impossible to take Topuria down and will get knocked out if he chooses to stand and trade.
Topuria, the pound-for-pound number-one fighter in the world, is currently ranked second at lightweight and holds a 17-1 record. The 29-year-old Spaniard averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and also threatens with takedowns, averaging nearly two per 15 minutes. Dvalishvili's assessment centers on Topuria's defensive wrestling and his ability to punish opponents on the feet.
On the subject of his loss to Petr Yan, Dvalishvili was candid in his respect for the bantamweight champion. Yan, 33, holds a 20-5 record and leads all three fighters mentioned in striking accuracy at 54 percent, landing 5.12 significant strikes per minute. Dvalishvili acknowledged that Yan's body kicks were particularly painful and credited him with a unique style and exceptional toughness. Notably, Dvalishvili suggested that on that same night he felt capable of defeating any other opponent — a remark that underscores just how highly he regards Yan's singular skill set.
Why it matters
- Topuria sits at lightweight ranked second, and Dvalishvili's comments add public narrative to what figures to be a high-stakes title picture
- Dvalishvili's candid reflection on the Yan loss offers rare insight into how a top contender processes defeat against a champion
- The stylistic breakdown — Tsarukyan's wrestling versus Topuria's defensive grappling and power — frames a compelling matchup analysis from someone fighting at the sport's highest level
