Merab Dvalishvili stated that while he likes Arman Tsarukyan and considers him a great fighter, Ilia Topuria will defeat him. Dvalishvili believes Tsarukyan will be unable to take Topuria down and will get knocked out when he tries to box with the Georgian champion. Separately, Dvalishvili reflected on his fight with Petr Yan, saying Yan was the only fighter he couldn't have beaten that day because of Yan's special preparation and tough style. He described being hit with painful body kicks by Yan, including one that hurt so badly he had to push forward rather than retreat.
