Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili turns down grappling bout with Arman Tsarukyan

Georgian UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili explained in an interview with Ariel Helwani why he declined a grappling match against Armenian athlete Arman Tsarukyan at an RAF league event.

“I was indeed offered a match against Arman, but it doesn’t make sense. Arman is two weight classes bigger than me. I saw what Arman did to Urijah Faber and was very disappointed. Arman shouldn’t have thrown Faber off the mat into the stands. Urijah is a very good person, a great fighter. Arman has always treated me with respect, he’s an excellent fighter and my neighbor from Armenia, born in Georgia. But there was no need to do that to Urijah. I considered facing Arman, but we all know he is better than me in wrestling. And when my cut on my nose reopened, I said ‘no’ to the offer to face Tsarukyan,” Dvalishvili said.