Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to withdraw so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," calling this his goal. Tsarukyan also declared he will only stop when he has at least five UFC title defenses. 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. Topuria responded harshly to Tsarukyan's comments, calling the Armenian fighter unintelligent and claiming he spends his father's money rather than his own. Topuria stated that if they meet in the octagon, he will break Tsarukyan's jaw in the first round.
Arman Tsarukyan has set his sights firmly on Ilia Topuria, publicly calling for Justin Gaethje to step aside so he can challenge the former featherweight champion and, in his words, "kick him out of the UFC." Tsarukyan also declared he will not stop competing until he has logged at least five title defenses.
Gaethje, the current lightweight champion, holds a 28-5 record and is 37 years old. The Arizona product fights out of Genesis Training Center and brings one of the most aggressive striking outputs in the division, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and currently sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings at 29 years old, carries a 17-1 record for Spain. The Georgian-born finisher operates out of Climent Club and lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute, also averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a well-rounded threat in any exchange. He responded sharply to Tsarukyan's callout, dismissing the Armenian fighter and warning that their meeting in the octagon would end with a broken jaw in the first round.
Bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili also weighed in on the regional dynamics, noting he harbors no ill will toward fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, or Dagestan — with one exception: ranked number two at 135 pounds, Umar Nurmagomedov. The 30-year-old Russian, who fights out of Eagles MMA and holds a 20-1 record, averages 4.03 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 56 percent, making him one of the most complete fighters in the bantamweight division.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan targeting Topuria reshapes the lightweight title picture, inserting a potential interim or mandatory challenger scenario
- Topuria, ranked second at lightweight, would be a marquee opponent coming off his own divisional climb
- The broader Caucasus rivalry adds an inter-regional dimension that extends into bantamweight with Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov
