Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has offered a glowing assessment of lightweight titleholder Ilia Topuria’s grappling abilities, revealing that he struggled to take down his fellow Georgian during training sessions.
Dvalishvili (21-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC), who holds the UFC record for the most takedowns in promotional history, has spent considerable time training alongside Topuria (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC). The lightweight champion is scheduled to defend his 155-pound title against Justin Gaethje at the UFC's highly anticipated event at the White House on June 14.
While Topuria has become known for his devastating knockout power in recent years, Dvalishvili said fans should not overlook the champion’s wrestling and defensive grappling.
During a recent social media Q&A, Dvalishvili praised Topuria’s ability to shut down takedown attempts.
“Bro, Ilia is so good. I wasn't able to take him down. Like, it's impossible to take Ilia down, you know?” Dvalishvili said. “He has great takedown defense. Like, he's so strong you know, with the wrestling or striking, it's impossible.”
Topuria built his reputation as an elite grappler early in his professional career, earning submission victories in each of his first seven fights. Since joining the UFC in 2020, however, “El Matador” has evolved into one of the promotion’s most dangerous strikers.
The Georgian-Spanish star has recorded seven knockout victories in nine UFC appearances and is currently riding one of the most impressive streaks in the sport. In his last three outings, Topuria stopped former champions Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, a run that helped him capture both the featherweight and lightweight titles.
Dvalishvili’s comments serve as another reminder that, despite the attention generated by Topuria’s knockout power, the reigning lightweight champion remains a highly accomplished grappler. Coming from one of the UFC’s most relentless wrestlers, the praise carries significant weight ahead of Topuria’s upcoming title defense against Gaethje.
