Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants to fight Ilia Topuria if Justin Gaethje pulls out, with the goal of removing Topuria from the UFC. He plans to defend a title at least five times before stopping. Merab Dvalishvili said he has no issues with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, emphasizing healthy competition among Caucasian athletes. Ilia Topuria harshly criticized Tsarukyan, calling him unintelligent and promising to break his jaw in the first round if they meet. Tsarukyan also discussed a potential fight with Volkanovski and Chimaev's prospects. Additionally, Benoit Saint-Denis appeared to announce a fight with Paddy Pimblett on social media, and Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baraniewsky.
Arman Tsarukyan has made clear he wants to step in and fight Ilia Topuria should Justin Gaethje withdraw from their scheduled lightweight bout, with Tsarukyan stating his aim would be to drive Topuria out of the UFC entirely. The Armenian fighter also addressed a possible matchup with Alexander Volkanovski and weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev's future prospects, while Merab Dvalishvili publicly called out Umar Nurmagomedov as his only problem within the Dagestani fighting community.
Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and first on the pound-for-pound list, holds a 17-1-0 record and fights out of Spain. The 29-year-old averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute and has been vocal in responding to Tsarukyan's comments, reportedly calling him unintelligent and vowing to break his jaw inside the first round if the two were to meet. Topuria has also stated his intention to defend a title a minimum of five times before moving on.
Dvalishvili's remarks added another layer of intrigue, with the Georgian bantamweight singling out Umar Nurmagomedov as the sole source of friction among Caucasian athletes, framing the tension as a matter of competitive rivalry rather than personal animosity. Nurmagomedov, 30, is ranked second at bantamweight with a 20-1-0 record and represents one of the division's most dangerous fighters, landing 3.86 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate while also averaging four takedowns per 15 minutes.
Chimaev, the top-ranked middleweight, also came up in discussion. The 32-year-old carries a 15-1-0 record and fights out of the UAE, boasting elite wrestling credentials with 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and a 60 percent striking accuracy.
Separately, Benoit Saint-Denis appeared on social media to signal a forthcoming fight with Paddy Pimblett, though no official confirmation has been issued. Bogdan Guskov also made news by turning down a proposed matchup with Baraniewsky.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan positioning himself as Gaethje's replacement puts him directly in line for a high-profile lightweight title fight
- Topuria's public response sharpens what is already a heated rivalry with significant divisional implications
- Dvalishvili-Nurmagomedov friction adds tension to an already competitive bantamweight landscape
