Merab Dvalishvili shared his predictions and reflections in a recent interview. He stated that while Arman Tsarukyan is a wonderful fighter, Ilia Topuria will defeat him because 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 fight with Petr Yan, saying he could have beaten anyone that day except Yan. He praised Yan's special style and toughness, noting that Yan's body kicks were extremely painful. Dvalishvili described how the pain from one kick was so severe that instead of running away, he had to rush forward into strikes.
Bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili opened up in a recent interview about two of the sport's most compelling storylines — the upcoming lightweight title picture and a candid look back at his own loss to Petr Yan.
Dvalishvili, 35, carries a 21-5 record and sits ranked first in the bantamweight division, currently holding the number-two spot on the pound-for-pound list. Fighting out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team and representing Georgia, "The Machine" is one of the sport's most relentless wrestlers, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career.
On the lightweight landscape, Dvalishvili was direct about his forecast for Ilia Topuria versus Arman Tsarukyan. He acknowledged Tsarukyan as a wonderful fighter but argued that Tsarukyan will be unable to take Topuria down, and that if Tsarukyan tries to box with him, he will get knocked out. Topuria, 29, currently holds a 17-1 record and is ranked second at lightweight while sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Fighting out of Spain, "El Matador" lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and also adds a wrestling threat with 1.96 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Dvalishvili also reflected on his defeat to Petr Yan, showing genuine respect for the bantamweight champion. He said he felt capable of beating anyone that day — except Yan. He described Yan's body kicks as extraordinarily painful, noting that one shot hurt so severely it forced him to rush forward into more strikes rather than retreat. Yan, 33, fights out of Russia and owns a 20-5 record. The switch-stance champion lands 5.12 significant strikes per minute at a sharp 54 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's most precise and damaging strikers.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's comments on Topuria versus Tsarukyan add a credible insider voice to one of lightweight's most anticipated matchups
- His candid admission about Yan's body kicks underscores what makes the champion so difficult to solve
- As the top-ranked bantamweight contender, Dvalishvili's perspective on Yan carries direct divisional weight
