Arman Tsarukyan vows to knock Topuria out of UFC, targets 5 title defenses

Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to drop out so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," calling it his ultimate goal. He said he won't stop until he has at least five UFC title defenses. In response, Topuria harshly criticized Arman, calling him "stupid" and a "child" who spends his father's money, not his own. Topuria vowed that if they meet in the octagon, he will break Arman's jaw in the first round. Merab Dvalishvili commented that he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, saying he simply doesn't like him, while emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Meanwhile, Arman also discussed a possible fight with Alexander Volkanovski and outlined near-term prospects for Khamzat Chimaev, while Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Chimaev over Sean O'Malley.