Merab Dvalishvili stated that while he likes Arman Tsarukyan as a fighter, Ilia Topuria will defeat him. The Georgian bantamweight champion believes Tsarukyan won't be able to take Topuria down and will be knocked out when he tries to box with him. Dvalishvili also reflected on his past loss to Petr Yan, saying he could have beaten everyone that day except Yan. He described Yan as having a special style and being exceptionally tough, noting that Yan's body kicks were extremely painful. Dvalishvili explained that after the second painful kick, he had to pressure forward because he couldn't escape the pain. Additional news includes Conor McGregor settling with Artem Lobov over Proper Twelve compensation, and Carlos Ulberg reportedly losing his belt at a party.
Merab Dvalishvili has weighed in on the anticipated lightweight clash between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, predicting a knockout victory for his fellow Georgian, while also opening up about his own defeat to Petr Yan earlier in his career.
The UFC bantamweight champion expressed respect for Tsarukyan as a competitor but was direct in his assessment: Tsarukyan will not be able to take Topuria down, and if he stands and trades, he will get knocked out. Topuria, currently ranked second in the lightweight division and first in the pound-for-pound rankings, carries a 17-1-0 record at 29 years old. Fighting out of Spain, the orthodox striker lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and also averages nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a well-rounded threat on both levels.
Dvalishvili also reflected on his loss to Petr Yan, describing it as a singular exception in what he felt was an otherwise unbeatable run for him that day. He credited Yan with possessing a uniquely difficult style and exceptional toughness, singling out Yan's body kicks as particularly damaging. Dvalishvili explained that after absorbing a second devastating kick to the body, he was forced to press forward simply because the pain left him no other option.
Separately, two additional notes emerged from the same news cycle. Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov have reached a settlement regarding compensation tied to Proper Twelve whiskey. Lobov, a 39-year-old southpaw from Ireland with a professional record of 13-15-1, had been in a long-running dispute over his share of the brand. Also reported is that light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg, ranked third at 205 pounds, reportedly lost his divisional belt at a party. The 35-year-old New Zealander out of City Kickboxing holds a 15-1-0 record and leads the division in striking output, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
