This post provides a roundup of recent fighter statements and news. Arman Tsarukyan says he wants Justin Gaethje to pull out so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," and won't stop until he has at least five title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili states he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he dislikes, and emphasizes healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who updated his chest tattoo, called Tsarukyan "stupid" and a "kid" who spends his father's money, promising to break his jaw in the first round. Additionally, Tsarukyan discussed a potential Volkanovski fight, Demetrious Johnson predicted Chimaev over O'Malley, Benoit Saint-Denis posted roast beef to suggest a Pimblett fight, and Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baraniewski.
A flurry of fighter comments and social media activity has stirred up the lightweight and bantamweight divisions, with Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria, and Merab Dvalishvili all making headlines in the past week.
Tsarukyan made his ambitions clear, stating he hopes Justin Gaethje withdraws from his scheduled bout so he can step in and face Topuria for the lightweight title. The Armenian contender declared his intention to "kick him out of the UFC" and said he will not be satisfied until he has earned at least five title defenses of his own.
Topuria, currently ranked second at lightweight and first in the pound-for-pound standings with a 17-1-0 record, was not short on words in response. The 29-year-old Spanish fighter, who averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute, dismissed Tsarukyan as "stupid" and a "kid" who spends his father's money, and promised to break his jaw in the first round. Topuria also recently updated his chest tattoo, drawing additional attention online.
Bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili weighed in on regional rivalries, saying he has no issues with fighters from Dagestan, Chechnya, Armenia, or Georgia — except for one. Dvalishvili singled out Umar Nurmagomedov, the number-two ranked bantamweight from Russia, as the sole exception, though he framed the broader dynamic as healthy competition between fighters from those regions. Nurmagomedov carries a 20-1-0 record and lands takedowns at a rate of 4.03 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's push puts pressure on the lightweight title picture if Gaethje's participation becomes uncertain
- Topuria's public dismissal of Tsarukyan adds an edge to a potential future matchup between the two
- Dvalishvili's comments signal genuine tension with Nurmagomedov, two fighters who could eventually meet at 135 pounds
- Elsewhere in the roundup, Khamzat Chimaev received a high-profile endorsement from Demetrious Johnson, who predicted the middleweight contender would defeat Sean O'Malley
