Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to lose so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," vowing not to stop until he has at least five title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili said he has no issues with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he dislikes, but otherwise sees healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who updated his chest tattoo, fired back at Tsarukyan with harsh insults, calling him "incredibly stupid," saying he spends his father's money not his own, and threatening to break his jaw in the first round if they meet. Arman also discussed a potential Volkanovski bout and Khamzat's prospects, while Demetrious Johnson predicted a decisive Chimaev victory over Sean O'Malley. Benoit Saint-Denis teased a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef on social media, and Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Ivan Baranyevski.
