Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Max Holloway to lose so he can fight and "kick Topuria out of the UFC," aiming for at least five title defenses. Ilia Topuria responded with harsh criticism, calling Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and promising to "break his jaw in the first round" if they meet. Topuria also mocked Tsarukyan for spending his father's money rather than his own earnings. Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili commented that he has no issues with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. The exchange highlights growing tensions in the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria have exchanged a sharp round of verbal barbs over a potential featherweight or lightweight matchup, with both fighters escalating the tension through pointed public statements.
Tsarukyan made clear he is rooting against Max Holloway, saying he wants Holloway to lose so he can face Topuria and, in his words, "kick him out of the UFC." The Armenian contender added that he is targeting a minimum of five title defenses if the opportunity comes his way. Holloway, 34, currently sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings at 27-9, bringing one of the most prolific striking outputs in the sport at 7.2 significant strikes landed per minute.
Topuria, who holds a 17-1 record and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29, fired back with considerable force. The Spanish-Georgian fighter called Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and vowed to "break his jaw in the first round" if the two ever share the Octagon. He also took a personal shot, mocking Tsarukyan for allegedly spending his father's money rather than earnings he built himself. Currently ranked second at lightweight, Topuria averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute and attempts 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes, underlining a well-rounded attacking game.
Adding a regional dimension to the story, bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili weighed in on the broader dynamic between fighters from the Caucasus region. He stated he has no quarrel with Dagestani fighters as a group, singling out Umar Nurmagomedov as his sole exception and framing the rest of the competition — across Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan — as healthy rivalry. Nurmagomedov, 30, carries a 20-1 record and ranks second in the bantamweight division, landing takedowns at a rate of 4.03 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Topuria at number one pound-for-pound and Tsarukyan as a top lightweight contender means any future meeting carries immediate title implications.
- Holloway's result in his next outing will likely determine whether Tsarukyan gets the shot he is publicly demanding.
- The Dvalishvili comments add a secondary layer of regional rivalry stretching across multiple UFC divisions.
