Merab Dvalishvili shared his prediction for a potential fight between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, stating that Topuria will win by knockout. Dvalishvili explained that while he likes Tsarukyan as a wonderful fighter, Arman won't be able to take Topuria down and will get knocked out when trying to box with Ilia. Separately, Dvalishvili reflected on his fight with Petr Yan, noting that Yan was the only opponent he couldn't have beaten on that particular night. He praised Yan's preparation and unique style, calling him a tough fighter. Dvalishvili recounted the pain from Yan's body kicks, saying the second one hurt so badly that he had to pressure forward because he couldn't escape. He credited Yan's hard work and specific game plan for his performance.
Merab Dvalishvili has gone on record with a bold prediction for a potential lightweight clash between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, forecasting that Topuria stops Tsarukyan by knockout.
Dvalishvili, ranked first in the bantamweight division with a 21-5 record, made the comments in a recent interview. The 35-year-old Georgian, who trains out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, explained his reasoning plainly: Tsarukyan will not be able to take Topuria down, and if he resorts to boxing with the Spaniard, he will get knocked out. Dvalishvili made clear he holds Tsarukyan in high regard as a fighter, framing his prediction around matchup dynamics rather than any disrespect.
Topuria, the current number-two-ranked lightweight and the top-ranked fighter pound-for-pound, carries a 17-1 record. The 29-year-old from Spain lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and also attempts nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a genuine threat in multiple areas.
In the same interview, Dvalishvili reflected on his own losses, singling out his fight with Petr Yan as one he feels he simply could not have won that night. He credited Yan's preparation and unique style, describing the bantamweight champion as a tough opponent who arrived with a specific game plan. Dvalishvili recalled the damage from Yan's body kicks in particular, saying the second kick hurt so severely that he was forced to press forward because retreating was not an option. Yan, now 33, holds a 20-5 record and lands 5.12 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate, among the sharper outputs in the division.
Why it matters
- Topuria is the pound-for-pound number one, making any potential lightweight matchup carry significant divisional weight
- Dvalishvili's assessment that Tsarukyan cannot secure takedowns highlights Topuria's well-rounded defensive threat
- Dvalishvili's candid reflection on Yan adds context to the bantamweight champion's recent form and game-planning ability
