Several UFC fighters have engaged in a war of words on social media. Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to pull out so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," adding he won't stop until he has at least five title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili said he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he dislikes, and emphasized healthy competition between Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who updated his chest tattoo, responded harshly to Tsarukyan, calling him "incredibly stupid" and claiming he would break his jaw in the first round, also suggesting Tsarukyan spends his father's money rather than his own. The post also mentions Tsarukyan discussing a potential Volkanovski fight, predictions about Khamzat Chimaev, and Benoit Saint-Denis posting roast beef (an English dish) to announce a fight with Paddy Pimblett.
A social media back-and-forth involving Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria, and Merab Dvalishvili has spilled into public view, with several other fighters drawn into the online conversation.
Tsarukyan made clear he has his eyes on Topuria, stating he hopes Justin Gaethje withdraws from their scheduled fight so he can instead face the Georgian-Spanish fighter and, in his words, "kick him out of the UFC." The Armenian lightweight also declared he will not stop competing until he has earned at least five title defenses, signaling long-term ambitions at 155 pounds.
Topuria, who carries a 17-1-0 record and currently sits second in the lightweight rankings as well as first in the pound-for-pound standings, was not willing to let the comments slide. The 29-year-old fighting out of Spain fired back sharply, calling Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and claiming he would break his jaw inside the first round. Topuria also took a personal shot, suggesting Tsarukyan relies on his father's money rather than his own earnings.
Dvalishvili entered the conversation on a different note, stating he holds no particular grievances toward Dagestani fighters as a group — with one exception. The Georgian bantamweight said he dislikes Umar Nurmagomedov specifically, while otherwise framing the regional dynamic between Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan as healthy competition. Nurmagomedov, currently ranked second at bantamweight, holds a 20-1-0 record and lands takedowns at a rate of over four per fifteen minutes.
Elsewhere in the thread, Tsarukyan was also heard discussing a potential fight with Alexander Volkanovski, and comments were made about the trajectory of Khamzat Chimaev, the number-one ranked middleweight who carries a 15-1-0 record and a 60 percent striking accuracy. Benoit Saint-Denis added a lighter moment to the cycle of posts, sharing an image of roast beef — an English dish — as an apparent announcement of an upcoming fight with Paddy Pimblett.
Why it matters
- Topuria is the top pound-for-pound fighter on the roster, making any rivalry involving him a marquee storyline at lightweight
- Tsarukyan's pursuit of Topuria adds pressure to the scheduling picture at 155 pounds
- Dvalishvili's public comments about Nurmagomedov add tension to an already competitive bantamweight division
- Saint-Denis versus Pimblett, if confirmed, would carry significant fan interest given both fighters' profiles
