Merab Dvalishvili has confirmed he will cease sparring sessions with Ilia Topuria, especially following an incident near UFC 317.
UFC champions Merab Dvalishvili and Ilia Topuria have become prominent and popular figures in mixed martial arts after their impressive victories this month. Dvalishvili secured a win over Sean O’Malley in their bantamweight title rematch at UFC 316, while Topuria claimed the vacant lightweight championship by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
Both athletes are celebrated as top talents hailing from Georgia, a nation bordering Russia and Turkey. Although neither champion currently resides in Georgia, they frequently utilize their platforms to honor their home country and celebrate their successes with Georgian fans.
Why Merab Dvalishvili Stopped Sparring with Ilia Topuria: A Humorous Account
Dvalishvili and Topuria share a unique, long-standing friendship that began during their respective climbs towards title contention. The bantamweight champion recently indicated that despite having trained together previously, further sparring sessions are now unlikely.
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Dvalishvili shared a humorous anecdote explaining his decision to stop sparring with his fellow Georgian, even amidst their shared UFC success.
“He’s so organized. Ilia, he sees things before, he works for it, and he has plans,” Dvalishvili remarked about Topuria. “I can’t spar with him anymore because he hits too hard. He dropped me two times from body shots.”
“Thank God that my head is fine! Every time that I finished sparring with him, I was happy, ‘Thank God it’s over!’”
With Topuria now firmly established in the lightweight division, it`s understandable that a sparring match between the two champions would present a significant challenge for Dvalishvili. Nevertheless, Dvalishvili is known for his exceptional toughness and ability to withstand powerful strikes, a trait evident in his victories over opponents like O’Malley and former title challenger Marlon Moraes.
Currently, Georgia proudly holds two UFC world titles. In contrast, the United States presently has one active UFC champion, women’s bantamweight titleholder Kayla Harrison.
Potential Delay for Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett Bout After Alleged UFC 319 Leak
After his decisive knockout win over Oliveira at UFC 317, Topuria immediately turned his attention towards a highly anticipated showdown with his long-time rival, Paddy Pimblett. The two fighters shared a tense faceoff in the cage shortly after Topuria`s victory.
However, the potential Topuria-Pimblett clash may not happen immediately. UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis recently suggested that Pimblett is set to face Justin Gaethje in the co-main event of UFC 319 in Chicago, potentially delaying Topuria`s desired matchup.
As of now, the UFC has not officially announced future bookings for either Pimblett or Gaethje. Furthermore, UFC CEO Dana White offered a non-committal response when questioned about a potential Topuria vs. Pimblett fight during the UFC 317 post-fight press conference.
Rupert Hartwell