Merab Dvalishvili disclosed that he was offered a fight against Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 08 in Philadelphia, but ultimately turned it down. Dvalishvili explained that the matchup didn't make sense because Tsarukyan competes two weight classes above him. He admitted he considered the bout but was glad he declined after witnessing Tsarukyan's actions against Urijah Faber at the event. Dvalishvili specifically criticized Tsarukyan for throwing Faber outside the mat, calling it unnecessary despite respecting Tsarukyan's skills and contributions to the sport. The Georgian fighter felt vindicated in his decision not to accept the fight.
Merab Dvalishvili has revealed that he was offered a fight against Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 08 in Philadelphia, but chose to turn it down, citing the weight class gap between the two fighters as his primary reason.
Dvalishvili, 35, holds a 21-5 record and currently sits as the number-one ranked bantamweight and number-two pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Known as "The Machine" and representing the Serra-Longo Fight Team, the Georgian southpaw is one of the sport's most relentless wrestlers, averaging a remarkable 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes. He explained that accepting the bout made little sense given that Tsarukyan competes two divisions above him.
Tsarukyan, 29, fights at lightweight and carries a 23-3 record, ranking first in his division. The Armenian-born Russian fighter, training out of American Top Team, has built a reputation as one of the most well-rounded lightweights in the game, landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Dvalishvili said he had initially considered the offer but ultimately felt vindicated after watching Tsarukyan's conduct at the event itself. He specifically called out Tsarukyan for throwing Urijah Faber off the mat, describing the act as unnecessary. While Dvalishvili made clear he respects Tsarukyan's talent and contributions to MMA, the incident reinforced his decision to decline.
Faber, the 47-year-old American legend who carries a 35-11 record and remains a revered figure in combat sports, was involved in the incident that drew Dvalishvili's criticism.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili publicly distancing himself from Tsarukyan adds a layer of personal friction between two of the sport's elite fighters
- The weight class difference makes the matchup functionally unlikely, but the exchange keeps both names in the conversation
- Faber's treatment at a high-profile event raises broader questions about conduct between competitors on event nights
