Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants to fight Ilia Topuria and "throw 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 simply doesn't like, and praised the healthy competition between fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, responded harshly to Tsarukyan, calling him "stupid" and claiming he would break his jaw in the first round if they fought. Additional notes mention Tsarukyan discussing a potential Volkanovski fight, Demetrious Johnson predicting Chimaev over O'Malley, and Benoit Saint-Denis apparently announcing a fight with Paddy Pimblett.
Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria exchanged sharp words publicly, with the Armenian contender issuing a direct callout and the former featherweight champion responding with equal aggression.
Tsarukyan made clear he wants to fight Topuria and, in his words, "throw him out of the UFC," adding that he won't consider his career complete until he has secured at least five title defenses. The callout adds another layer of tension to the lightweight division's already crowded title picture, with Topuria currently ranked second at 155 pounds and holding a 17-1-0 record. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who fights out of Climent Club, averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute and has been among the most active finishers in the sport. Topuria fired back without hesitation, calling Tsarukyan "stupid" and claiming he would break his jaw inside the first round.
Also entering the conversation was Merab Dvalishvili, who addressed the regional rivalries simmering beneath the surface of the UFC's roster. Dvalishvili said he has no issues with Dagestani fighters as a group but singled out Umar Nurmagomedov as someone he simply does not like on a personal level. He spoke positively about the competitive dynamic developing among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Nurmagomedov, ranked second at bantamweight and just 30 years old, carries a 20-1-0 record and lands takedowns at a rate of 4.03 per 15 minutes while connecting on 56 percent of his significant strikes.
Why it matters
- Topuria at lightweight ranked second and Tsarukyan's callout positions them as natural title-picture rivals at 155 pounds
- Dvalishvili's comments about Nurmagomedov add personal heat to what could become a ranked bantamweight matchup
- Regional pride across the Caucasus and Central Asia is increasingly shaping rivalries throughout multiple UFC divisions
