Merab Dvalishvili Says Ilia Topuria Is the One Fighter Islam Makhachev Cannot Hold Down
Merab Dvalishvili believes Ilia Topuria could be the one fighter who gives Islam Makhachev serious problems.
Makhachev is widely respected for his grappling, pressure, control, and ability to dominate opponents once he gets them to the ground. But Merab does not believe that same formula would work as easily against Topuria.
“If Makhachev takes Ilia down, he won’t be able to hold Ilia down,” Merab said.
That is a bold statement, especially considering Makhachev’s reputation as one of the best control grapplers in MMA.
Merab Respects Makhachev, But Sees a Style Problem
Merab was not dismissing Islam’s greatness.
“Makhachev is a great fighter,” he said. “I think he can beat everybody at 170 except Ilia because styles make fights.”
That last line is the key: styles make fights.
Merab believes Topuria’s skill set, explosiveness, balance, and toughness could create problems that other fighters have not been able to solve. Makhachev may be able to take him down, but Merab’s point is that getting Ilia down and keeping him there are two very different things.
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Why Topuria Could Be Difficult to Control
Topuria is not just a striker with power.
He has strong grappling fundamentals, physical strength, fast scrambles, and confidence in tight positions. That makes him harder to control than people may assume.
Against Makhachev, the biggest question would not only be whether Topuria can stop every takedown. The real question is whether he can get back up quickly, avoid long control sequences, and force Islam to strike with him.
If Topuria can do that, the fight becomes much more dangerous for Makhachev.
Even with Merab’s prediction, Makhachev would still be a nightmare matchup for almost anyone.
His takedown entries, clinch control, top pressure, and calm decision-making are elite. He does not rush. He does not panic. He slowly removes options until opponents are stuck defending.
If he can get Topuria down and control the hips, wrists, and cage position, he could take away Topuria’s power and make the fight much harder for him.
That is why this matchup is so interesting.
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The reason fans are so excited about this fight is simple: Topuria can change a fight instantly.
If Makhachev cannot hold him down, he has to spend more time striking with him. That is where Topuria becomes extremely dangerous.
His boxing is sharp, his confidence is high, and his finishing instinct is real. If Islam gives him space, Topuria will believe he can land something big.
That threat could force Makhachev to fight more carefully than usual.
Merab Dvalishvili saying Islam Makhachev would not be able to hold Ilia Topuria down adds even more hype to one of MMA’s biggest possible superfights.
He respects Makhachev, but believes Topuria is a different kind of challenge.
For Makhachev, the goal would be control. For Topuria, the goal would be escape, pressure, and damage.
That is what makes the fight so fascinating.
If Merab is right, Ilia Topuria may be the one fighter who can turn Islam Makhachev’s biggest weapon into a real test.
