Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Ilia Topuria's opponent to pull out so he can fight and "kick Topuria out of UFC," adding he won't stop until he has at least five title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili said he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, emphasizing healthy competition among Armenian, Georgian, Chechen, and Dagestani athletes. Topuria responded harshly to Tsarukyan's comments, calling him "incredibly stupid" and threatening to break his jaw in the first round if they meet in the octagon. Additionally, Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef on social media, and Bogdan Guskov reportedly declined a fight with Baranievsky.
A flurry of social media exchanges and public callouts has set the lightweight and bantamweight divisions buzzing, with Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria, and Merab Dvalishvili all trading pointed remarks in the same news cycle.
Tsarukyan made clear he is eager to step in as a replacement if Topuria's next scheduled opponent withdraws, stating his intention to "kick Topuria out of UFC." The Armenian contender also declared he will not rest until he has secured at least five title defenses — an ambition that signals he sees himself as a future champion rather than merely a challenger.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight with a 17-1 record and the UFC's top pound-for-pound ranking at just 29 years old, was not diplomatic in his reply. The Spain-based Georgian fighter called Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and promised to break his jaw inside the first round if they ever share the octagon. Topuria averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute and lands them at a 48 percent accuracy rate, making his first-round finishing threat one that opponents rarely dismiss lightly.
Merab Dvalishvili, meanwhile, used the moment to address regional rivalries, saying he has no issue with Dagestani fighters as a whole but singling out number-two-ranked bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov as an exception. The 30-year-old Russian carries a 20-1 record and lands takedowns at a rate of 4.03 per fifteen minutes, making him one of the most dangerous grapplers in the 135-pound division.
In separate news, Benoit Saint-Denis signaled an upcoming matchup with sixth-ranked lightweight Paddy Pimblett by posting an image of roast beef on social media — an apparent cultural nod at the Liverpool native. Pimblett, 31, holds a 23-4 record and generates 5.49 significant strikes per minute. Additionally, Bogdan Guskov is reported to have turned down a proposed fight against Baranievsky.
Why it matters
- A Tsarukyan-Topuria fight would be a top-two lightweight clash with direct title implications
- Dvalishvili's comments on Nurmagomedov raise the prospect of a high-stakes bantamweight rivalry
- Saint-Denis versus Pimblett would pit two aggressive strikers against each other in a matchup that could reshape the lightweight top ten
