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Merab Dvalishvili reveals why Islam Makhachev cannot beat Ilia Topuria
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- Merab Dvalishvili reveals why Islam Makhachev cannot beat Ilia Topuria
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Islam Makhachev against Ilia Topuria remains one of the UFC's most compelling fights, even after recent talks failed to produce an agreement.
Topuria must first handle Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, where their lightweight title fight headlines the White House card on June 14.
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If the Spaniard wins, the Makhachev conversation will only grow louder, and Merab Dvalishvili has already explained why he backs his countryman.
Merab Dvalishvili says Ilia Topuria has the worst style for Islam Makhachev
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Speaking on his Kick livestream before his RAF wrestling fight against Frankie Edgar, Dvalishvili argued that Topuria's style creates a nightmare matchup for Makhachev.
"If Makhachev takes Ilia down, he won't be able to hold Ilia down. That's the thing," 'The Machine' stated.
"Makhachev is a great fighter, I think he can beat everybody at 170, except Ilia, because styles make fights and Ilia's style is the worst for Makhachev."
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That is a bold view because Makhachev's grappling control has broken many elite opponents. Still, Dvalishvili sees Topuria's base as the key difference.
'El Matador's' grappling background could make him harder to pin than most strikers, while his knockout power gives him a clear danger zone on the feet.
There is another side to the debate. Makhachev is taller than Topuria, and that size could matter in clinches, scrambles and range management.
That physical gap is why the fight feels so intriguing. The Dagestani champion may have the frame and championship experience, but Topuria has tools that change the usual equation.
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