Arman Tsarukyan playfully challenged Merab Dvalishvili to a wrestling match and claimed he could defeat him 10-7. The exchange began when Merab stated he would beat Arman in wrestling. When Arman asked about Merab's weight, both fighters confirmed they walk around at 70 kg. The interaction appeared lighthearted and was conducted via social media or messaging.
Arman Tsarukyan and Merab Dvalishvili exchanged a round of friendly trash talk recently, with the lightweight contender jokingly claiming he could beat the bantamweight star in a wrestling match by a score of 10-7. The playful back-and-forth, conducted over social media or messaging, began after Dvalishvili asserted he would get the better of Tsarukyan on the mat. When Tsarukyan asked about his weight, both fighters confirmed they walk around at 70 kg.
Merab Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," carries a 21-5 record and sits as the number-one ranked bantamweight and the number-two pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. The 35-year-old from Georgia trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team and has built his reputation on relentless wrestling, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes — among the highest rates in the sport.
Arman Tsarukyan, nicknamed "Ahalkalakets," stands as the top-ranked lightweight contender with a 23-3 record. The 29-year-old Russian trains at American Top Team and brings a well-rounded skill set to the cage, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 50 percent. At five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he holds a slight physical edge over Dvalishvili.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the entire UFC, making Tsarukyan's claim a bold one even in jest.
- The two fighters compete in different divisions but share a similar walk-around weight, which gives the exchange an added layer of competitive needle.
- Both men occupy the top of their respective divisional rankings, meaning each is accustomed to high-stakes competition and the mental gamesmanship that comes with it.
