Arman Tsarukyan targets Topuria, wants five title defenses; Merab addresses beef

In a series of fighter statements, lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan said he wants Justin Gaethje to pull out so he can fight and "kick Topuria out of the UFC," adding that he won't stop until he has at least five title defenses. Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili stated he has no issues with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he dislikes, while emphasizing healthy competition between fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Ilia Topuria, who updated his chest tattoo, delivered harsh criticism of Tsarukyan, calling him stupid and claiming he would break his jaw in the first round. Additional notes include Tsarukyan discussing a potential Volkanovski fight and Khamzat Chimaev's prospects, Demetrious Johnson predicting Chimaev over O'Malley, Benoit Saint-Denis apparently announcing a Paddy Pimblett fight via social media, and Bogdan Guskov declining a fight with Baranievski.