Arman Tsarukyan and Merab Dvalishvili engaged in a playful social media exchange about a potential wrestling match. When Dvalishvili claimed he would beat Tsarukyan in wrestling, Arman responded by asking his weight. After Merab said 70 kg, Arman confirmed he weighs the same and jokingly stated he could defeat Dvalishvili 10-7 in a wrestling bout. The exchange appears to be light-hearted banter between the two fighters rather than a serious challenge.
Arman Tsarukyan and Merab Dvalishvili took their rivalry off the canvas and onto social media this week, trading playful barbs over who would come out on top in a hypothetical wrestling match.
The exchange was sparked when Dvalishvili claimed he would beat Tsarukyan in a wrestling bout. The lightweight contender fired back by asking Merab his weight. When Dvalishvili confirmed he walks around at 70 kg, Tsarukyan — who says he weighs the same — jokingly declared he would beat the Georgian star 10-7 on the mat. Both fighters and observers appeared to take the exchange in good humor, with no indication either man is pursuing an actual grappling contest.
Dvalishvili, 35, is one of the most decorated grapplers in the UFC's bantamweight division. Ranked first at 135 pounds and second in the pound-for-pound standings, the Serra-Longo Fight Team product carries a 21-5 record and averages a remarkable 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes — one of the highest rates in the entire organization. His relentless pace and wrestling-heavy style have defined his rise through the division.
Tsarukyan, 29, holds the number-one contender spot at lightweight with a 23-3 record. Representing American Top Team out of Russia, the 29-year-old owns a 72-inch reach and a striking accuracy of 50 percent, among the sharper numbers in his division. He also contributes on the mat with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, making the wrestling-themed jab at Dvalishvili more than just empty trash talk.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili is the UFC's premier takedown artist, making the wrestling debate genuinely interesting on paper
- Tsarukyan's own grappling credentials make his confidence in the exchange more than bluster
- The banter keeps both high-profile contenders in the public conversation as they await their next assignments in their respective divisions
