Merab Dvalishvili believes Ilia Topuria was hindered by an early eye poke from Justin Gaethje. On June 26, Dvalishvili discussed the fight on MMA Junkie Radio.
What happened?
Topuria suffered visible damage to both eyes during his lightweight title loss to Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.
Why it matters for Merab Dvalishvili
Dvalishvili thinks the eye poke affected Topuria's vision, making it difficult for him to continue fighting.
What comes next?
Dvalishvili hopes for a rematch between Topuria and Gaethje, believing Topuria would win.
Merab Dvalishvili, the former bantamweight champion, says Topuria's loss hit him hard. He was heartbroken to see his fellow fighter lose, and it affected him emotionally.
Dvalishvili praised Topuria's toughness, saying he was blind and had a broken nose but still fought hard. He also credited Gaethje for his smart fighting tactics.
The fight was stopped by doctors at the end of Round 4, with Gaethje winning three rounds to one. Dvalishvili believes Topuria was winning the fight before the eye poke incident.
Topuria had been working hard for the fight, and Dvalishvili knows how good he is. He was depressed all week after the loss and hardly slept.
Dvalishvili is coming off a title loss himself to Petr Yan at UFC 323. He says Topuria will come back from this loss and become champion again.
The eye poke incident occurred in Round 1, and Dvalishvili thinks it affected Topuria's performance. He believes Topuria would have finished Gaethje if he had continued hitting him.
Gaethje was smart to go flat down and survive the triangle choke attempt by Topuria. Dvalishvili has respect for Gaethje's fighting skills.
The rematch between Topuria and Gaethje would be an exciting fight, and Dvalishvili hopes it happens soon. He believes Topuria would win the rematch and become the champion.
Dvalishvili's comments on the fight show his admiration for Topuria's toughness and his belief in Topuria's abilities. He hopes Topuria will come back stronger from this loss.
The UFC Freedom 250 event was a significant one, with Topuria's loss being a major talking point. Dvalishvili's reaction to the fight highlights the respect and admiration he has for his fellow fighter.
The fight between Topuria and Gaethje was an intense one, with both fighters giving it their all. Dvalishvili's comments provide insight into the fight and its outcome.
Merab Dvalishvili's thoughts on the fight are valuable, given his experience as a fighter. He knows what it takes to win, and his comments on Topuria's loss are informative and insightful.
The UFC lightweight division is a competitive one, and Topuria's loss to Gaethje was a significant one. Dvalishvili believes Topuria will come back stronger and become champion again.
The eye poke incident was a key factor in the fight's outcome, and Dvalishvili's comments highlight its importance. He believes Topuria would have won the fight if not for the eye poke.
Dvalishvili's admiration for Topuria's toughness is clear, and his comments provide a unique perspective on the fight. He hopes for a rematch between Topuria and Gaethje, believing it would be an exciting fight.
The fight between Topuria and Gaethje was a major event, and Dvalishvili's reaction to it is significant. He believes Topuria will come back from this loss and become champion again.
Merab Dvalishvili's comments on the fight are a must-read for UFC fans. He provides valuable insight into the fight and its outcome, and his admiration for Topuria's toughness is clear.