Merab Dvalishvili shared his thoughts on the potential matchup between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan. While praising Tsarukyan as a wonderful fighter, Merab believes Topuria will win by knockout. He predicts Tsarukyan won't be able to take Topuria down and will get knocked out when trying to box with him. In separate news, Conor McGregor has paid Artem Lobov compensation for his contribution to creating Proper Twelve whiskey, though the amount remains undisclosed with Lobov reportedly satisfied. Additionally, Carlos Ulberg lost his belt at a party, while Jalin Turner and Michael Chandler have been training intensively.
Merab Dvalishvili has gone on record with a bold prediction for a potential Ilia Topuria versus Arman Tsarukyan fight, forecasting that Topuria finishes the Armenian-Russian contender by knockout.
Speaking publicly, the Georgian bantamweight champion offered praise for Tsarukyan as a skilled competitor before outlining why he believes his compatriot Topuria holds the clear edge. Dvalishvili argued that Tsarukyan will be unable to secure takedowns against Topuria, and that standing and trading on the feet will prove costly for the challenger, ultimately leading to a knockout finish.
In separate news, Conor McGregor has paid Artem Lobov compensation for Lobov's contribution to the creation of Proper Twelve Irish whiskey. The 39-year-old Irishman, who carries a professional record of 13-15-1 and trains out of SBG Ireland, did not publicly disclose the amount, though he is reported to be satisfied with the settlement.
Elsewhere, light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg made headlines for an unusual reason, reportedly losing his divisional belt at a party.
On the training front, lightweight veterans Jalin Turner and Michael Chandler have both been putting in significant work in the gym. Turner, 31, stands six-foot-three with a 77-inch reach and posts a striking output of 5.53 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the more physically imposing fighters in the 155-pound division. Chandler, 40, holds a 23-11 record and remains active at Kill Cliff FC, connecting on 49 percent of his significant strikes while averaging nearly two takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Topuria versus Tsarukyan is one of the most anticipated potential featherweight title fights, and endorsements from camp insiders like Dvalishvili add fuel to public interest.
- The Lobov-McGregor settlement closes a long-running dispute tied to one of combat sports' most commercially successful ventures.
- Chandler and Turner remaining active in the gym keeps both men relevant in a crowded and competitive lightweight division.
