Merab Dvalishvili: Topuria 'was pretty much blind' after Gaethje eye poke

Bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili has publicly alleged that his training partner Ilia Topuria was left severely vision-impaired by an eye poke from Justin Gaethje during their lightweight contest, claiming the Georgian-Spanish star was "pretty much blind" as a consequence of the foul.

Dvalishvili, ranked first in the bantamweight division and second in the pound-for-pound standings, carries a 21-5 record and has built his reputation on relentless pressure and elite grappling. The 35-year-old from Georgia, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, averages an extraordinary 6.4 takedowns per fifteen minutes and has spoken out in defense of Topuria on multiple occasions as one of his closest allies in the sport.

Topuria, who entered the fight ranked second at lightweight and sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years old, holds a 17-1 record and has established himself as one of the most dynamic finishers in the game. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, the Spain-based orthodox striker lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also mixing in nearly two takedowns per fifteen minutes.

Gaethje, the lightweight champion, is a seasoned 37-year-old from the United States with a 28-5 record. The five-foot-eleven fighter out of Genesis Training Center leads all three men in striking output, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's most dangerous offensive forces.

Why it matters

• An acknowledged eye poke could fuel debate over the fight's officiating and whether the foul affected the outcome
• Topuria sits at the center of the lightweight title picture at number two in the division rankings
• Dvalishvili's comments add high-profile scrutiny to a result that carries major divisional consequences for the 155-pound championship picture