Merab Dvalishvili and Ilia Topuria closed out the year by crossing paths far from the Octagon. Dvalishvili made the trip to Madrid to spend time with his longtime friend, joining him inside the gym and around the city.
The visit quickly became public, with both fighters posting photos and short clips across social media. Training rounds, casual workouts, and moments around Madrid offered fans a glimpse into their bond outside of fight week pressure.
Training Continues Despite Different Timelines
Although their competitive schedules are not aligned, both athletes stayed active. Dvalishvili, still showing visible marks from his recent bantamweight title bout against Petr Yan at UFC 323, participated in training sessions without hesitation. The loss ended his title challenge, but his overall run throughout the year remained strong enough to earn major recognition across the sport.
Topuria, meanwhile, has not competed since capturing the vacant lightweight championship with a knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 earlier in the year. That performance solidified his position among the division’s elite.
Topuria’s absence from competition has been noticeable, especially as online attention surrounding his personal life increased in recent months. He ultimately chose to step away temporarily, delaying an expected return in early 2026.
With Topuria on the sidelines, UFC matchmakers moved forward by booking Justin Gaethje against Paddy Pimblett for an interim lightweight title bout at UFC 324, scheduled for January in Las Vegas.
As the year comes to a close, neither fighter confirmed immediate plans for their next appearance. For now, their time in Spain served as preparation, support, and a reminder that careers inside the cage often intersect with friendships built far beyond it.
