Merab Dvalishvili shared his prediction for a potential fight between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan. Dvalishvili stated that while he likes Arman and considers him a wonderful fighter, Topuria will defeat him. He believes 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 past fight with Petr Yan, acknowledging Yan's special preparation and tough fighting style. He described painful body kicks from Yan that forced him to press forward because he couldn't escape the pain.
Bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili has gone on record with a bold prediction for a potential lightweight clash between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, forecasting that Topuria will finish Tsarukyan by knockout.
Dvalishvili, 35, holds a 21-5 record and sits at number one in the bantamweight rankings, also occupying the number two spot in the pound-for-pound standings. Fighting out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, the Georgian wrestler averages an exceptional 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a sharp eye for grappling matchups. Speaking about Tsarukyan, Dvalishvili offered genuine praise, describing him as a wonderful fighter — but he was clear that Topuria would ultimately prevail.
His reasoning was specific: Dvalishvili does not believe Tsarukyan will be able to take Topuria down, and if Tsarukyan chooses to box instead, he will get knocked out. It is a credible read of the matchup given Topuria's profile. The Spaniard, now competing at lightweight and ranked second in the division as well as first pound-for-pound, carries a 17-1 record and lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. At 29 years old and based out of Climent Club, Topuria also averages nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, adding a defensive wrestling dimension to his game.
Dvalishvili also reflected on his own recent experience against bantamweight champion Petr Yan. He acknowledged that Yan arrived with a special preparation and described the Russian's body kicks as particularly damaging — painful enough that Dvalishvili felt compelled to press forward simply to escape them. Yan, 33, carries a 20-5 record and lands 5.12 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy, among the sharpest outputs in the division.
Why it matters
- Topuria is ranked number two at lightweight and number one pound-for-pound, making any potential matchup with Tsarukyan a title-adjacent contest.
- Dvalishvili's wrestling expertise gives his grappling-based prediction added weight.
- His candid comments on Yan provide a window into one of bantamweight's most technically demanding style matchups.
