The current one ranked number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, recently spoke at a press conference with foreign media.
About colleague Georgian champion Merab Dvalishvili, Topuria told the press: “He just had another fight scheduled. That man is not normal. He is a great guy, salt of the earth. I haven’t met many good people like him. I told Merab before that he should change weight class because he has a 100 percent chance of getting a second belt.”
About a possible fight with Alexander Volkanovski, the champion said: “I have no doubt what happens in that fight. I know it will end if Merab wins.”
This is high praise for his colleague compatriot. Although it has been assumed Spain as his house and the other the United Statesthe mutual respect between the two men is clear. However, it’s unlikely he would move up to featherweight for the same reason he once held off a title shot. To avoid disrupting the career of his best friend and former bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling.
Merab’s friendship over inheritance
Merab started training Serra-Longo Fighting Team in Long Island, New York, while working construction and speaking no English. During his early transition not only to sports but also to life in America, Merab befriended Aljamain Sterling. Since then, the two have become best friends and call each other “brothers.”
As both men’s careers reached a high level and while they were in the same division, they refused to fight each other. During Sterling’s reign as bantamweight champion, Merab was the rightful number one contender, but he still declined the title shot. UFC President Dana White expressed his displeasure to MMA media.
This situation mirrored that of champions Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier, who also refused to fight each other. As a result, Cormier moved back to the light heavyweight division. I believe that despite Merab’s potential for success, he would avoid moving to a division where he could be put in a position to fight his brother.
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