No One Can Hold Ilia Topuria Down in the UFC, Says Merab Dvalishvili Praising Skill Set

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili reveals how Ilia Topuria's takedown defense is second to none.

No One Can Hold Ilia Topuria Down in the UFC, Says Merab Dvalishvili Praising Skill Set

Merab Dvalishvili praises Ilia Topuria (via Instagram)

Ilia Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili share one of the strongest friendships in the UFC today. Both fighters have roots in Georgia, a connection that helped build their close bond. They have also trained together extensively ahead of several major fights over the years. That firsthand experience set the stage for Dvalishvili’s recent praise of the UFC lightweight champion’s wrestling and takedown defense.

Topuria has cemented himself as one of UFC’s most dangerous knockout artists, stopping six of his nine opponents. However, his success is not built on striking alone. The Spaniard developed a strong Greco-Roman wrestling foundation during his early years in combat sports and later earned a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. That grappling pedigree has helped make him one of the most complete champions.

While no lightweight contender appears capable of matching Topuria’s wrestling or striking credentials, one matchup continues dominating discussions across MMA. That opponent is Islam Makhachev, whose Dagestani wrestling and sambo pedigree have overwhelmed elite competition for years. Dvalishvili recently weighed in on the matchup, highlighting Topuria’s wrestling abilities as a major factor.

Ilia is so good; I wasn’t able to take him down. It’s impossible to take Ilia down; he has great takedown defense. He is so strong with the wrestling and striking it is impossible to match him.

Merab Dvalishvili via his YouTube channel

These comments carry added weight coming from Dvalishvili, given his dominance on the mat. The Georgian recently showcased those skills by controlling 260-pound bodybuilding influencer Larry Wheels during a livestream session. He also sparred with influencer-wrestler and RAF star Georgio Poullas, who briefly caught him with a takedown before Dvalishvili regained control of the exchanges.

However, Topuria’s next assignment at UFC Freedom 250 is unlikely to require wrestling. The 155-pound champion is set to face Justin Gaethje, a fighter who has built his reputation on striking battles and highlight-reel finishes. Despite Gaethje’s dangerous skill set, ‘El Matador’ has already made it clear that he expects to knock out the veteran when they meet on June 14 at the South Lawn of the White House.

Merab Dvalishvili specializes in Kartuli Chidaoba and Khridoli, two traditional Georgian martial arts he has practiced since age nine. Those skills helped shape one of the most dominant wrestlers, making him the first and only fighter in UFC history to surpass 100 career takedowns. Given those credentials, his praise further underscores just how elite Ilia Topuria’s wrestling and takedown defense truly are.

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UFC lightweight contender reveals the best plan of action for Ilia Topuria after UFC Freedom 250

Ilia Topuria has knocked out some of the sport’s biggest names, cementing his status as one of MMA’s most dangerous finishers. His list of victims includes Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, all former UFC champions. However, a clash with Islam Makhachev remains out of reach, with contractual differences reportedly preventing the fight from materializing at UFC Freedom 250.

Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria is already receiving callouts at welterweight [via MMA Weekly]

However, another fighter waiting for a shot at Topuria is undoubtedly Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian has remained sidelined from title contention following injuries and issues that drew criticism from UFC leadership. Despite that, Tsarukyan and Topuria have continued calling each other out. Tsarukyan recently explained why facing Makhachev at 170 pounds would be a better option for Topuria than fighting him.

Arman Tsarukyan is also the official backup fighter for UFC Freedom 250 and could take on Ilia Topuria if Justin Gaethje withdraws. However, the Armenian star is scheduled to face UFC veteran Tony Ferguson at RAF 10 in Las Vegas on June 13, just a day earlier. Tsarukyan recently stated that he expects UFC Freedom 250 to proceed as planned and is focusing on his RAF matchup rather than a potential weight cut.

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