Tsarukyan targets Topuria, Dvalishvili discusses Dagestan, tensions escalate

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 UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili said he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, emphasizing that Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan are all hardworking regions with healthy competition. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, responded by calling Tsarukyan stupid and claiming he would break his jaw in the first round, also criticizing him for spending his father's money rather than his own. Additionally, Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef on social media, Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident Chimaev victory over O'Malley, and Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baraniewicz.