Merab Dvalishvili shared his prediction that Ilia Topuria will defeat Arman Tsarukyan, stating that Tsarukyan won't be able to take Topuria down and will get knocked out when he tries to box with Ilia. Dvalishvili also reflected on his fight with Petr Yan, saying Yan was the only fighter he couldn't have beaten that day. He noted that Yan had a special style and prepared specifically for him, landing painful body kicks that forced Dvalishvili to press forward rather than retreat. The post also mentions that Conor McGregor paid Lobov compensation for his contribution to Proper Twelve, though the amount remains undisclosed.
Merab Dvalishvili has gone on record predicting that Ilia Topuria will stop Arman Tsarukyan, arguing that Tsarukyan will be unable to take Topuria down and will get knocked out if he tries to engage in a boxing match with him.
Dvalishvili, ranked first in the bantamweight division and second in the pound-for-pound standings, carries a 21-5 record and has built his reputation largely on relentless wrestling. The 35-year-old Georgian, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, averages an exceptional 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes — a number that underscores why he pays close attention to grappling-based game plans and their limitations against elite opposition.
Topuria, whom Dvalishvili is backing, currently sits at number two in the lightweight division and tops the pound-for-pound rankings with a 17-1 record. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who fights out of Climent Club, lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and also averages nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a threat across multiple areas of the fight.
Dvalishvili also offered candid reflection on his own career, singling out Petr Yan as the one fighter he could not have beaten on that particular night. He credited Yan with a distinctive style and a camp specifically tailored to counter him, noting that Yan's body kicks were painful enough to force him to press forward rather than move away — disrupting the rhythm Dvalishvili typically relies on. Yan, now the bantamweight champion at 33, holds a 20-5 record and connects at a 54 percent striking accuracy rate, the highest among the three fighters mentioned.
Why it matters
- Topuria is the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, making any commentary on his next opponent carry significant divisional weight
- Dvalishvili's wrestling credentials give his assessment of Tsarukyan's takedown prospects added credibility
- His honest account of the Yan loss offers rare insight into how a specifically tailored game plan can neutralize even elite fighters
