Merab Dvalishvili stated that while he likes Arman Tsarukyan as a great fighter, Ilia Topuria will defeat him because Tsarukyan won't be able to take Topuria down and will get knocked out when trying to box with him. Dvalishvili also reflected on his loss to Petr Yan, saying Yan was the only fighter he couldn't have beaten that day due to Yan's unique style and preparation. He described the pain from Yan's body kicks as so severe that in the second instance he had to rush forward into strikes because he couldn't escape. In other news, Conor McGregor has compensated Artem Lobov for his unpaid contribution to creating Proper Twelve whiskey, with Lobov satisfied with the undisclosed amount.
Merab Dvalishvili has gone on record predicting that Ilia Topuria will stop Arman Tsarukyan, backing the lightweight contender to knock out his opponent when the fight reaches the striking exchanges.
Dvalishvili, the top-ranked bantamweight contender at 21-5-0 and currently ranked second in the pound-for-pound standings, argued that Tsarukyan will find it impossible to take Topuria down and will pay the price once the bout turns into a boxing match. The 35-year-old Georgian, known as "The Machine" and training out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, is one of the most relentless wrestlers in the sport, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, which gives him particular insight into grappling dynamics at the highest level.
Topuria, the 29-year-old Spaniard carrying a 17-1-0 record, is currently ranked second at lightweight and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. "El Matador" lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and his takedown output of 1.96 per 15 minutes suggests he can neutralize wrestling threats while remaining dangerous on the feet.
Dvalishvili also opened up about his defeat to Petr Yan, describing it as a unique experience. He explained that Yan was the one fighter he could not have beaten that particular night, singling out Yan's distinct style and preparation as the reasons. He was candid about the physical toll, saying the pain from Yan's body kicks was so severe that in one instance he was forced to surge forward directly into incoming strikes simply because retreating was not an option.
In a separate development, Conor McGregor has settled a long-standing financial dispute with Artem Lobov, compensating the 39-year-old Irish fighter for his unpaid role in helping create the Proper Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov, who holds a 13-15-1 professional record, confirmed he is satisfied with the undisclosed amount received.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's grappling credentials lend weight to his assessment that Tsarukyan cannot take Topuria down
- Topuria's striking volume and accuracy make him a credible finishing threat if the fight stays on the feet
- The Lobov-McGregor settlement closes a public dispute that had overshadowed the origins of one of combat sports' most commercially successful brand ventures
