Merab Dvalishvili disclosed that he was offered a fight with Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 8 in Philadelphia, but turned it down. Dvalishvili explained the matchup made no sense because Tsarukyan competes two weight classes above him. He initially considered the bout but ultimately felt relieved he declined after witnessing Tsarukyan's actions against Urijah Faber at the event. Dvalishvili criticized Tsarukyan for unnecessarily throwing Faber outside the mat area, expressing disappointment despite his respect for Faber's contributions to the sport.
Merab Dvalishvili has revealed that he was offered a fight against Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 8 in Philadelphia, but chose to decline the matchup.
Dvalishvili, 35, explained that the bout simply did not make sense to him because Tsarukyan competes two weight classes above the bantamweight division. The Georgian fighter, ranked first at 135 pounds and second in the pound-for-pound standings with a 21-5-0 record, said he initially gave the offer some thought before ultimately passing. He added that after watching Tsarukyan's conduct at the event, he felt relieved by his decision. Dvalishvili specifically criticized Tsarukyan for unnecessarily throwing Urijah Faber outside the mat area, saying he was disappointed despite holding respect for what Faber has meant to the sport. Dvalishvili generates 4.33 significant strikes per minute and averages an exceptional 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, a relentless output that has defined his rise to the top of the bantamweight division.
Tsarukyan, 29, is the number-one ranked lightweight, carrying a 23-3-0 record into 2026. The Russian fighter out of American Top Team stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the more well-rounded threats in a stacked 155-pound division.
Faber, the 47-year-old veteran and former WEC featherweight champion known as The California Kid, holds a career record of 35-11-0. Standing five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach, Faber remains a respected figure whose decades of contributions to the sport prompted Dvalishvili's pointed reaction to how he was treated at the event.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's refusal underlines the weight class gap, with 135 and 145 pounds separating him from Tsarukyan's lightweight home.
- Tsarukyan's behavior toward a combat sports icon draws scrutiny and puts his conduct in the public conversation.
- Both men remain top-ranked in their respective divisions, meaning neither needs a crossover bout to stay relevant.
