Merab Dvalishvili Explains Decision to Reject Arman Tsarukyan and Express Disappointment Over Conduct

Merab Dvalishvili talked to Ariel Helwani about why he rejected the offer to face Arman Tsarukyan to make his Real American Freestyle debut.

Merab Dvalishvili Explains Decision to Reject Arman Tsarukyan and Express Disappointment Over Conduct

Merab Dvalishvili explains decision to reject Arman Tsarukyan [via Yahoo Sports and MMA Fighting]

In Short
  • Merab Dvalishvili declined a fight against Arman Tsarukyan, citing size differences and disappointment over Tsarukyan's conduct in a recent match.
  • He is recovering from a nose injury sustained during his fight with Petr Yan and is targeting a summer return to the octagon.
  • Dvalishvili is scheduled to make his RAF debut against Frankie Edgar on May 9 in Dallas.

A couple of weeks ago, Henry Cejudo pulled out of his RAF 08 wrestling bout against Merab Dvalishvili just hours before the event. The ‘Machine’ was then offered Arman Tsarukyan as a backup option. The Armenian was already on the card to face Urijah Faber. However, Dvalishvili declined the offer, opting to miss out on his debut entirely.

The Georgian fighter has now explained this decision in his latest appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show. The ‘Machine’ explained to Ariel Helwani that he did consider facing the Armenian, but ultimately decided against it. Dvalishvili alleges that his decision was apparently validated when the match between Tsarukyan and Faber unfolded.

He’s like two weight classes bigger than me and stuff like that, and I was thinking about it—but thank God I didn’t. Because when I saw what Arman Tsarukyan did against Urijah Faber, I was disappointed. He’s a good fighter, and I have a lot of respect for what he’s done for the sport and everything—but things like that… throwing out Urijah like that wasn’t necessary.

Merab Dvalishvili via the Ariel Helwani Show

The former champion praised his fellow bantamweight, Urijah Faber, for how he handled the entire situation. But he also insisted that there was no animosity between him and Arman Tsarukyan. Dvalishvili revealed that he had received other offers to fight the No. 2 ranked lightweight as well.

The match was allegedly going to be held under Hype FC before UFC 323. Since Merab Dvalishvili was preparing for a title defense, he forwent that offer and later got too busy following his loss at UFC 323. Later, he was offered a 6-minute grappling match against Tsarukyan four days before New Year’s Day.

However, Dvalishvili apparently reopened a cut on his nose which led to the match falling through entirely. The ‘Machine’ revealed that his nose was already injured before Petr Yan busted it open during their brutal fight at UFC 323. The former bantamweight champion is recovering from the injury at the moment, but also has a return date in mind.

RELATED
UFC Commentator Wants Fight Week Chaos Between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland

Merab Dvalishvili eyes summer return in trilogy fight against Petr Yan

Merab Dvalishvili tried to create history last December as he attempted to become the first UFC fighter to defend their belt four times in a calendar year. He was ultimately unsuccessful, losing to Petr Yan via unanimous decision.

Petr Yan dismantles Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323
Petr Yan dismantles Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 (via MMA Fighting)

Nevertheless, the Georgian revealed that the UFC guaranteed him a trilogy fight against Yan upon his return to the octagon. Considering his injuries, the ‘Machine’ was initially eyeing a return before June. But now, he spoke to Ariel Helwani about a possible summer return.

I was hoping to fight before White House card [in June], because UFC did say that most likely our fight won’t be in White House, so that’s why I was hoping to get the fight against Yan in May. Now I’m guessing our fight, maybe, hopefully, [will be] in August, because if we are fighting in July, they must call us or announce it.

Merab Dvalishvili via the Ariel Helwani Show

An August return for the ‘Machine’ would mean he and Yan fight at UFC 330. So far, the UFC has yet to announce the card for this event. However, MMA insider Alvaro Colmenero reported that the UFC was working on the UFC 330 card with Islam Makhachev vs Ian Garry as the headliner.

Nonetheless, Merab Dvalishvili has other things to worry about. He is set to make his RAF debut against a former UFC champion. The ‘Machine’ faces MMA legend Frankie Edgar on May 9 at RAF 09 in Dallas.

Also Read: