Merab Dvalishvili disclosed that he was offered a fight against Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 8 in Philadelphia but declined. He explained that the matchup made no sense because Tsarukyan competes two weight classes above him. Dvalishvili stated he initially considered the offer but is glad he ultimately refused. After watching Tsarukyan's conduct against Urijah Faber at the event—specifically throwing Faber outside the mat—Dvalishvili expressed disappointment with Tsarukyan's behavior. While acknowledging Tsarukyan's skills and contributions to the sport, Dvalishvili felt such actions were unnecessary and disrespectful.
Merab Dvalishvili has revealed he turned down an offer to fight Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 8 in Philadelphia, explaining that the proposed matchup made little sense given the weight class gap between the two fighters.
Dvalishvili, 35, holds a 21-5 record and is ranked first in the bantamweight division, sitting second in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Georgian fighter, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, is one of the sport's most relentless wrestlers, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes and throwing 4.33 significant strikes per minute. He said he initially entertained the offer before ultimately walking away, and that he is now glad he did.
Tsarukyan competes two weight classes above Dvalishvili at lightweight, where the 29-year-old Russian holds the number one divisional ranking. Carrying a 23-3 record out of American Top Team, Tsarukyan is a well-rounded threat who lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. His reach of 72 inches would have represented a considerable physical advantage over Dvalishvili's 68-inch reach.
Beyond the weight class logic, Dvalishvili pointed to an incident involving Urijah Faber at the event as further confirmation that he made the right call. Faber, the 47-year-old former UFC title challenger and Team Alpha Male standout who carries a career record of 35-11, was thrown outside the mat by Tsarukyan during their encounter at RAF 8. Dvalishvili expressed disappointment with that conduct, describing it as unnecessary and disrespectful, while still acknowledging Tsarukyan's talent and contributions to mixed martial arts.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili remains focused on the bantamweight division, where he holds the top ranking and is well positioned for another title shot
- The weight class disparity between the two fighters made the match a non-starter from a competitive standpoint
- Tsarukyan's behavior at RAF 8 has drawn attention from other fighters, adding a reputational dimension to his profile at the top of lightweight
