Merab Dvalishvili doubts Arman Tsarukyan’s grappling will be enough to beat Ilia Topuria

Merab Dvalishvili doesn’t believe Arman Tsarukyan would have an answer for Ilia Topuria.

Topuria is focused on his upcoming undisputed lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje in the UFC Freedom 250 headliner. Topuria is a big favorite going into that bout, and the general consensus is that Tsarukyan would be the more competitive challenge after June 14.

Speaking to Demetrious Johnson on the “Mighty Cast,” Dvalishvili let it be known that he’d put his money on Topuria to walk past both Gaethje and Tsarukyan.

“If Arman fights Ilia, Ilia stylistically, he beats Arman,” Dvalishvili said. “You can’t take Ilia down. It doesn’t even make sense to wrestle with him, and then Arman has to box with Ilia too. Ilia will knock out Arman Tsarukyan too. That’s my honest answer.”

Johnson admitted to “The Machine” that he thinks Tsarukyan will pose a big threat to Topuria’s title. Dvalishvili responded by saying he doesn’t doubt that Tsarukyan would give his best effort.

“It’s going to be a tough fight for sure,” Dvalishvili said. “I don’t underestimate Arman. Like I said, I respect him. He’s a great athlete.”

Tsarukyan hasn’t fought since Nov. 2025 when he submitted Dan Hooker to extend his winning streak to five. “Ahalkalakets” hasn’t lost a fight since 2022 when he dropped a unanimous decision to Mateusz Gamrot.

The UFC brass has taken issue with Tsarukyan’s antics outside of the Octagon, such as constant brawls. The company also wasn’t thrilled when Tsarukyan pulled out of a planned UFC 311 title fight against Islam Makhachev hours before the weigh-ins.

Time will tell if Tsarukyan can satisfy UFC’s decision makers enough to get another chance.

Do you agree with Merab Dvalishvili’s take on how Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan would play out, or do you have a different opinion? Let us know in the comments below.