Tsarukyan targets Topuria, aims for 5 title defenses; Merab comments on Umar

Arman Tsarukyan said he wants Justin Gaethje to withdraw so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," stating this is his goal. He also declared he will only stop when he has at least five UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili commented that he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, saying he just doesn't like him, but emphasized healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria responded by calling Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and a "complete idiot," saying if they meet in the octagon he will break his jaw in the first round. Additional updates include Benoit Saint-Denis announcing a fight with Paddy Pimblett and Bogdan Guskov declining a fight with Baranyevski.