Merab Dvalishvili shared his prediction that Ilia Topuria will defeat Arman Tsarukyan if they fight. The Georgian bantamweight believes Tsarukyan will be unable to take Topuria down and will be knocked out when he attempts to box with the featherweight champion. Dvalishvili also reflected on his past fight with Petr Yan, stating that on that particular day he could have beaten anyone except Yan. He praised Yan's preparation and unique style, particularly recalling two painful body kicks that forced him to press forward on offense because he couldn't escape. Dvalishvili described Yan as a tough fighter with a special approach.
Merab Dvalishvili has gone on record predicting that Ilia Topuria would finish Arman Tsarukyan by knockout if the two ever share the cage, arguing that Tsarukyan will find it impossible to take the champion down and will pay a heavy price when he tries to trade punches.
Dvalishvili, 35, holds a 21-5 record and sits ranked first in the bantamweight division with a pound-for-pound ranking of second in the world. The Georgian, who trains out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, is one of the sport's most relentless wrestlers, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes. His close connection to Topuria gives his assessment added weight, and his read on the featherweight champion's finishing power appears rooted in genuine familiarity with the fighter.
Topuria, 29, currently carries a 17-1 record and holds the number-one pound-for-pound ranking. Now competing at lightweight where he is ranked second, the Spain-based Georgian known as El Matador lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and also threatens with nearly two takedown attempts per 15 minutes. Dvalishvili's argument is that any opponent who cannot neutralize Topuria's wrestling will inevitably be forced to box with him — a scenario he believes ends badly for Tsarukyan.
Dvalishvili also reflected on his own past loss to Petr Yan, offering a candid assessment rather than excuses. He said that on that particular night he felt capable of beating anyone — except Yan. He praised the bantamweight champion's preparation and distinctive style, singling out two damaging body kicks that forced him to push forward offensively simply because he had no other way to escape the pressure.
Yan, 33, owns a 20-5 record and carries a striking accuracy of 54 percent, the highest among the three fighters discussed, landing 5.12 significant strikes per minute as a switch-stance fighter out of Russia.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's prediction adds public momentum to a potential Topuria vs. Tsarukyan matchup
- His scouting view carries credibility given his close ties to Topuria and elite-level experience
- The Yan reflection highlights how even a dominant wrestler can be neutralized by a well-rounded champion's body attack
