Tsarukyan, Merab, and Topuria exchange verbal shots; UFC matchmaking updates

Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to miss weight so he can fight Ilia Topuria and aims to defend the UFC title at least five times. Merab Dvalishvili clarified he has no issues with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, launched a harsh verbal attack on Tsarukyan, calling him unintelligent and saying he would break his jaw in the first round if they fought. Meanwhile, Arman discussed a potential bout with Alexander Volkanovski and mapped out immediate prospects for Khamzat Chimaev. Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Chimaev over Sean O'Malley, and Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting a roast beef image on social media. Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Bartosz Baraniewski.