Tsarukyan, Dvalishvili, and Topuria exchange heated statements

Multiple fighters have made notable statements in recent interviews. Arman Tsarukyan said he wants Justin Gaethje to withdraw so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," and vowed to defend the title at least five times. Merab Dvalishvili stated he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he simply does not like, emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, responded by calling Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and "a complete idiot," claiming Tsarukyan spends his father's money rather than his own and threatening to break his jaw in the first round if they meet. Additional updates include Tsarukyan discussing a possible fight with Alexander Volkanovski and prospects for Khamzat Chimaev, Demetrious Johnson predicting Chimaev over Sean O'Malley, Benoit Saint-Denis announcing a fight with Paddy Pimblett via social media, and Bogdan Guskov declining a fight with Baranyevski.