Merab Dvalishvili shared his prediction for a potential fight between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan. While praising Tsarukyan as a wonderful fighter, Merab believes Topuria will defeat him. Dvalishvili predicts that Tsarukyan will be unable to take Topuria down and will be knocked out when he tries to box with Ilia. Merab also reflected on his own fight with Petr Yan, calling Yan a tough fighter with a special style. He recalled being hurt badly by Yan's body kicks, particularly one that was so painful he had to press forward because he couldn't run away. Dvalishvili stated he could have beaten everyone that day except Petr Yan.
Merab Dvalishvili has weighed in on a potential matchup between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, backing his Georgian compatriot to finish Tsarukyan by knockout if the two lightweights ever share the octagon.
Speaking in a recent interview, Dvalishvili acknowledged Tsarukyan as a wonderful fighter before predicting the bout would go badly for him. He argued Tsarukyan will struggle to take Topuria down and that any attempt to engage in a boxing exchange will end with him getting knocked out.
Topuria, 29, enters this conversation carrying a 17-1 record and currently ranked second in the lightweight division. The Spanish-Georgian fighter also holds the number-one spot on the pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his rise since moving up from featherweight. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, "El Matador" averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and supplements his standup with nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes.
Dvalishvili, 35, made news himself in the same interview by opening up about his prior bout with Petr Yan. The Georgian standout, who carries a 21-5 record and sits ranked first in the bantamweight division, recalled being hurt badly by Yan's body kicks — one in particular so severe that he felt his only option was to press forward rather than retreat. Despite the punishment absorbed, Dvalishvili stated he felt he could have beaten any other opponent on that night, singling Yan out as the sole exception.
Yan, now 33, holds a 20-5 record and is the current bantamweight champion. His effectiveness is reflected in numbers that bear out Dvalishvili's respect: Yan lands 5.12 significant strikes per minute at a sharp 54 percent accuracy, making him one of the more precise and damaging strikers in the division.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's prediction adds public momentum to calls for a Topuria-Tsarukyan matchup at lightweight.
- His candid account of the Yan fight highlights just how difficult a task dethroning the bantamweight champion remains.
- Topuria's pound-for-pound ranking means any fight built around him carries significant title and ranking implications across multiple divisions.
