Merab Dvalishvili, the UFC MMA athlete from Georgia, admits he couldn't take down Ilia Topuria in training.
What happened?
Merab Dvalishvili, a renowned wrestler, found it impossible to take down Ilia Topuria, the UFC champ.
He praised Topuria's great takedown defense and wrestling skills.
Why it matters for Merab Dvalishvili
Dvalishvili's admission highlights Topuria's exceptional abilities on the ground.
This is significant, given Dvalishvili's own expertise in wrestling.
What comes next?
Ilia Topuria is set to defend his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 250.
Merab Dvalishvili also weighed in on a potential matchup between Topuria and Islam Makhachev.
He believes Makhachev won't be able to hold Topuria down, even if he takes him down.
Dvalishvili thinks Makhachev can beat everybody at 170 except Topuria.
Topuria's style is a problem for Makhachev, according to Dvalishvili.
And Dvalishvili knows what Topuria looks like under pressure on the mat.
But Topuria's power is undeniable, having knocked out top fighters like Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.
So, Merab Dvalishvili's assessment of Topuria's skills is a significant endorsement.
As of May 31, 2026, Dvalishvili's comments have sparked interest in the potential matchup between Topuria and Makhachev.
Merab Dvalishvili's own experiences with Topuria have given him a unique perspective on the fighter's abilities.