Arman Tsarukyan jokingly proposed a wrestling match with Merab Dvalishvili and claimed he could defeat him 10-7. The exchange began when Dvalishvili stated he would beat Tsarukyan in wrestling. When Tsarukyan asked about Dvalishvili's weight, both fighters confirmed they weigh around 70 kg. The playful banter appears to be lighthearted social media interaction between the two fighters rather than a serious challenge or callout.
Arman Tsarukyan and Merab Dvalishvili exchanged playful barbs on social media, with the lightweight contender jokingly proposing a wrestling match against the bantamweight star and claiming he would win by a score of 10-7.
The friendly exchange was sparked after Dvalishvili declared he would beat Tsarukyan in a wrestling contest. Tsarukyan fired back with the challenge, and the two confirmed they carry roughly the same walking weight of around 70 kg, adding an extra layer of lighthearted legitimacy to the hypothetical matchup. The interaction appears to be good-natured banter rather than any kind of serious callout.
Dvalishvili, the 35-year-old Georgian known as "The Machine," is ranked number one in the bantamweight division and sits second in the pound-for-pound rankings with a professional record of 21-5. He trains out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team and is widely regarded as one of the sport's elite grapplers, averaging an extraordinary 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Tsarukyan, 29, is the top-ranked lightweight contender representing Russia and training out of American Top Team. The fighter nicknamed "Ahalkalakets" carries a 23-3 record and brings his own grappling credentials to the table, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 50 percent.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are ranked number one in their respective divisions, making any interaction between them naturally draw attention
- Dvalishvili's grappling volume is among the highest in the UFC, lending a genuine undercurrent to what is otherwise a joke exchange
- The banter highlights crossover interest between two of the promotion's most active and high-profile contenders
