Merab Dvalishvili stated that Ilia Topuria will defeat Arman Tsarukyan, predicting that Tsarukyan will be unable to take Topuria down and will be knocked out when he tries to box. Dvalishvili praised Tsarukyan as a wonderful fighter but expressed confidence in Topuria's abilities. Regarding his own loss to Petr Yan, Dvalishvili explained that Yan prepared specifically for him and possesses a unique, tough fighting style. He detailed how Yan's body kicks were extremely painful, forcing him to press forward on strikes because he couldn't escape. Dvalishvili acknowledged that while he felt he could have beaten anyone else that day, Yan's particular style and preparation made the difference. He specifically recalled two devastating body kicks during the fight.
Merab Dvalishvili has weighed in on the upcoming lightweight clash between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, backing his Georgian compatriot to finish the fight by knockout, while also opening up about what went wrong in his own loss to Petr Yan.
Dvalishvili, 35, holds a 21-5 record and is ranked first in the bantamweight division, sitting second in the pound-for-pound standings. Known as "The Machine," the Georgian fighter out of Serra-Longo Fight Team averages an elite 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most relentless wrestlers in the sport. His loss to Yan represents a rare setback for a fighter who has otherwise been dominant at 135 pounds.
On that defeat, Dvalishvili was candid. He explained that Yan arrived with a specific game plan tailored to him and possesses a style that is uniquely difficult to navigate. Two body kicks in particular stood out as decisive moments, with Dvalishvili saying the damage forced him to press forward into strikes rather than create space. He acknowledged that Yan's preparation and style made the difference, while believing he could have defeated virtually anyone else under the same conditions that night.
Yan, 33 and the reigning bantamweight champion, carries a 20-5 record and lands 5.12 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy, numbers that illustrate exactly the kind of precise, damaging output Dvalishvili described.
As for Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first pound-for-pound at just 29 years old, Dvalishvili expressed firm confidence in "El Matador." He predicted Tsarukyan will be unable to secure takedowns against Topuria and that when Tsarukyan attempts to engage on the feet, he will be knocked out. Topuria, carrying a 17-1 record, averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute and attempts nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes himself, underlining the two-way threat Dvalishvili is vouching for.
Why it matters
- Topuria versus Tsarukyan is a high-stakes lightweight contender bout with title implications
- Dvalishvili's insider perspective on Topuria adds weight given their shared Georgian background and close familiarity
- His detailed breakdown of the Yan loss offers rare honesty about how Yan's switch-stance, body-attack style can neutralize even elite wrestlers
