In a series of heated statements, lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan declared his goal is to fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC." Tsarukyan also stated he will only stop competing once he has defended the UFC title at least five times. In response, Topuria updated his chest tattoo and called Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and other insults, claiming he would break his jaw in the first round if they met in the octagon. Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili commented on relations between fighters from different Caucasus regions, stating he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he dislikes personally. Other news in the update included Benoit Saint-Denis posting roast beef on social media as an apparent callout to Paddy Pimblett, and Bogdan Guskov declining a fight with an opponent.
Arman Tsarukyan turned up the heat in the lightweight division this week, publicly declaring that his ultimate goal is to fight Ilia Topuria and, in his words, kick him out of the UFC. Tsarukyan also outlined a longer-term ambition, stating he does not intend to stop competing until he has defended the UFC title at least five times.
Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and currently sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings at 29 years old, did not stay quiet. The Spanish-Georgian fighter, who carries a 17-1 record and outputs a sharp 4.81 significant strikes per minute, responded by updating his chest tattoo and unloading a string of insults at Tsarukyan, claiming he would break his jaw inside the first round if the two ever met in the octagon.
Away from that exchange, bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili offered comments on relations between fighters from various Caucasus regions, saying he holds no grudge against Dagestani fighters as a group but singled out second-ranked bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov as someone he personally dislikes. Nurmagomedov, 30, holds a 20-1 record and averages more than four takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the division's most dangerous grapplers.
At lightweight, Benoit Saint-Denis added a lighter moment to the week by posting roast beef on social media in what appeared to be a pointed callout aimed at sixth-ranked Paddy Pimblett. Pimblett, 31, owns a 23-4 record and leads the division's active contenders with 5.49 significant strikes landed per minute, though whether he responds to the imagery remains to be seen. Separately, Bogdan Guskov declined a proposed fight with an unnamed opponent.
Why it matters
- A Tsarukyan vs. Topuria fight would pit two of lightweight's top contenders against each other with title implications on the line.
- Topuria's move down to lightweight already reshuffled the division's hierarchy; a rivalry with Tsarukyan intensifies that disruption.
- Dvalishvili's comments signal personal friction at bantamweight that could influence future matchmaking involving Nurmagomedov.
