Merab Dvalishvili labels Ilia Topuria as "on a different level" before White House comeback - 'I've never felt anything like this'
Published 26/03/2026 at 10:25 GMT
React to this story
Merab Dvalishvili described his friend and training partner Ilia Topuria as ”on a different level” to anyone in the UFC befire the 29-year-old's comeback bout against Justin Gaethje at the White House in June. Topuria, one of the UFC's biggest stars, became a two-weight champion last summer when he knocked out Charles Oliveira. He will fight for the first time since taking personal leave.
Dvalishvili plotting July return for blockbuster Yan trilogy
Video credit: TNT Sports
Merab Dvalishvili believes friend and training partner Ilia Topuria is ”on a different level” to anyone in the UFC.
Topuria is one of the UFC's biggest draws, having knocked out Charles Oliveira in June to become a two-weight champion.
After taking personal leave at the end of the year, making way for Justin Gaethje to claim the interim lightweight championship in a bout with Paddy Pimblett, Topuria’s return to the Octagon has been confirmed for the White House event on June 14.
Topuria will take on Gaethje in an undisputed headline bout that Dvalishvili expects the Spain-based fighter to win.
”Ilia is my friend,” Dvalishvili told TNT Sports. ”I trained with Ilia and I’ve never felt anything like this with a training partner, even big guys.
”Ilia is on a different level. He hits hard. He’s so technical. So smart and he will finish his next opponent too.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/05/image-62e2fa58-c8ad-4417-b171-c0e05ea43ff3-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Topuria? McGregor? White House? Holloway names dream next fight
Video credit: TNT Sports
”Ilia is not trying to grapple with you in a fight. But in training, whatever position you give him he will always look for a finish. I trained with him in wrestling jiu-jitsu and he’s always looking for the finish and he gets the finish too.
”It’s much easier to tap out than get knocked out, so I prefer jiu-jitsu with him. Because I used to spar with him before and it was not good.
”So I prefer jiu-jitsu. It’s okay to meet up, it’s no problem, nobody gets hurt. But it’s not a good idea to spar with him. I don’t know how he finds his sparring partners but he does.”
Dvalishvili added that he expects to return to the Octagon in July or August for a ”dream come true” trilogy bout with Petr Yan.
The 35-year-old defeated Yan in their first outing in 2023, only to lose his bantamweight title to the Russian in a rematch in December.
- Pereira vacates UFC light heavyweight title
- British breakout star stunned by call from UFC GOAT
- Strickland calls out Chimaev after beating Hernandez at UFC Fight Night
On his return, Dvalishvili said: ”Realistically [the fight will be] in July or August because Petr already said he’s good and ready for a fight in June.
”But in June we know we have the White House, and we’re not fighting in the White House, so it will be either July or August. Whenever the UFC needs us, I’m ready and Petr already said he’s ready too.
”It’s going to be a good fight, a trilogy and I’m excited.”
On processing defeat, he added: ”It’s part of the game. I’m the same guy. I just made some mistakes in the fight and I have to adjust those mistakes in training. Life is good. I’m grateful. It’s all good. It’s part of the process.”
All UFC events can be re-watched on the streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK, HBO Max.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement