It is safe to say that Merab Dvalishvili will never again spar with Ilia Topuria after UFC 317.
UFC champions Merab Dvalishvili and Ilia Topuria are two of the most beloved stars of MMA after their statement this month win in the Octagon. Dvalishvili put Sean O'Malley in their Bantamweight title Rematch on UFC 316, and Topuria played Charles Oliveira for the then lightweight title on UFC 317 on Saturday.
Dvalishvili and Topuria are two of the largest athletes coming from Georgia, a small country that borders Russia and Turkey. Although Dvalishvili and Topuria no longer live in Georgia, both UFC super stars use their platforms to celebrate their native country and often celebrate victories with Georgian fans.
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Merab Dvalishvili shares a hilarious story about why he no longer saves the saving with Ilia Topuria
Dvalishvili and Topuria share a unique, old friendship, which comes from when both hunters make their way to title conflicts. Although they have trained together a few times during their career, they will probably never have another sparring session, according to the UFC Bantamweight Champion.
In a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani show, Dvalishvili explained why he no longer saves the Savings with his fellow Georgian in the midst of their UFC success.
“He is so organized. Ilia, he sees things earlier, he works for it and he has plans,” said Dvalishvili about Topuria.
'I can't spar with him anymore [LAUGHS]because he strikes [too] difficult. He dropped me twice from body shots.
“Thank good that my head is fine! Every time I finished sparring with him, I was happy:” Thank good is over! “
Now that Topuria is a full -time lightweight, it is safe to say that a spruce between the newly beaten lightweight champion and Dvalishvili would not end well. But Dvalishvili has shown the opportunity to make large shots during his career, especially in victories over O'Malley and former title Challenger Marlon Moraes.
At the moment Georgia Stakes are claiming in two UFC world title holders. In the meantime, the United States has only one current UFC title holder, Bantam weight champion Ladies Kayla Harrison.
Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett Showdown is becoming potential delay after UFC 319 Star Leks Fights
After he had eliminated Oliveira on UFC 317, Topuria focused his full -time attention on a confrontation with old rival Paddy Pimblett. Topuria and Pimblett only had a tense face in the cage a few minutes after the victory of Topuria.
But a potential Topuria vs. Pimblett-Showdown may have to wait, after UFC Middleweight Champion Dric Du Plessis leaked an alleged Co-Main event at UFC 319. According to Du Plessis, Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will participate in the UFC 319 Co-Headliner in Chicago.
At the moment, the UFC matchmakers have not announced the following bookings from Pimblett and Gaethje. UFC CEO Dana White was without obligation to Topuria opposite Pimblett when he was asked at the UFC 317 Post-Fight Press Conference.