Merab Dvalishvili disclosed that he was offered a fight against Arman Tsarukyan at the recent RAF 08 event in Philadelphia, but turned it down. Dvalishvili explained the matchup didn't make sense because Tsarukyan competes two weight classes above him. He also expressed disappointment after witnessing Tsarukyan's aggressive treatment of Urijah Faber at the event, where Arman threw Faber outside the mats. Dvalishvili stated he's glad he declined the fight after seeing that incident. While he respects Tsarukyan as a fighter and what he's done for the sport, Dvalishvili felt the physical altercation with Faber was unnecessary.
Merab Dvalishvili has revealed he turned down an offer to face Arman Tsarukyan at the RAF 08 event in Philadelphia, citing the weight class gap between them as the primary reason for his decision.
Dvalishvili, 35, holds a 21-5 record and is the top-ranked bantamweight contender in the world, currently sitting second in the pound-for-pound rankings. Known as "The Machine," the Georgian fighter out of Serra-Longo Fight Team is one of the sport's most relentless grapplers, averaging an extraordinary 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes. He stated the Tsarukyan matchup simply did not make sense given that Tsarukyan competes two divisions above him.
Tsarukyan, 29, fights at lightweight, where he sits as the division's top-ranked contender. The Russian fighter carries a 23-3 record and trains out of American Top Team. He is a well-rounded threat with a 72-inch reach and a striking accuracy of 50 percent, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute alongside 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Dvalishvili also spoke about an incident at RAF 08 involving Arman Tsarukyan and Urijah Faber. Tsarukyan physically threw Faber outside the mats at the event, a moment Dvalishvili described as unnecessary. The UFC and MMA legend Faber, now 47, carries a storied 35-11 career record and remains a respected figure in the sport. Dvalishvili said witnessing that altercation reinforced his satisfaction with having declined the fight, even while acknowledging his respect for Tsarukyan's accomplishments inside the cage.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's refusal underscores the unusual nature of the cross-division offer, with bantamweight and lightweight separated by a full weight class boundary
- The incident involving Faber adds a public controversy around Tsarukyan at a moment when he is positioned as the top lightweight contender
- Dvalishvili remains focused on the bantamweight division, where he holds the number one ranking and pound-for-pound recognition
