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 him. Dvalishvili also reflected on his own fight with Petr Yan, saying he could have beaten anyone that day except Yan, who specifically prepared for him and has a unique tough style. He described being hit twice by painful body kicks from Yan, with the first allowing him to escape with 25 seconds left in the round, but the second being so painful he had to press forward on strikes because he couldn't run away. Separately, the post mentions Conor McGregor paid Artem Lobov undisclosed compensation for his contribution to creating Proper Twelve whiskey, with Lobov reportedly satisfied with the amount.
Merab Dvalishvili has weighed in on the upcoming lightweight clash between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, predicting that Topuria will stop Tsarukyan by knockout if the fight stays on the feet.
Dvalishvili, the number-one ranked bantamweight contender, holds a 21-5 record and fights out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team. The 35-year-old Georgian is one of the most relentless grapplers in the sport, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes. His read on the Topuria-Tsarukyan matchup centers on the grappling dynamic: he believes Tsarukyan will be unable to get the fight to the mat, and that once the two are exchanging in the pocket, Topuria's power will prove decisive.
Topuria, the pound-for-pound number-one fighter in the world and second-ranked lightweight, carries a 17-1 record and a reputation as a serious finisher. The 29-year-old from Spain lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and also mixes in nearly two takedown attempts per 15 minutes, making him a genuine two-way threat.
Dvalishvili also reflected on his own past bout with Petr Yan, offering candid insight into how difficult that fight was. He acknowledged Yan prepared specifically for his style and possesses a uniquely tough, grinding approach. Dvalishvili described two particularly damaging body kicks from Yan during the contest. The first landed with roughly 25 seconds left in the round, giving him just enough time to survive. The second was so painful, he said, that retreating was not an option and he was forced to pressure forward on strikes simply to survive the moment.
In a separate note, Artem Lobov, the 39-year-old Irish-based fighter with a 13-15-1 record, has reportedly received undisclosed financial compensation from Conor McGregor for his role in the creation of Proper Twelve whiskey. Lobov is said to be satisfied with the settlement amount, closing a chapter on a dispute that had drawn considerable attention within combat sports circles.
