Tsarukyan targets Topuria, vows five title defenses; Makhachev-O'Malley tipped

Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to pull out so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "throw him out of the UFC," declaring this as his goal. The Armenian lightweight also said he will only stop when he has at least five UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili commented that he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he simply dislikes, while noting healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, called Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and predicted he would break his jaw in the first round if they meet. Additionally, Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Khamzat Chimaev over Sean O'Malley, Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef on social media, and Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baranyevski.