Several fighters have made notable statements in recent media appearances. Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Diego Lopes 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 clarified he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, stating he simply doesn't like him, while emphasizing that Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan all have hardworking people engaged in healthy competition. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, called Tsarukyan stupid and claimed Tsarukyan spends his father's money, threatening to break his jaw in the first round. Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef (an English dish) on social media. Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baraniewski, and Demetrious Johnson predicted Khamzat Chimaev would defeat Sean Strickland confidently.
A busy week in MMA media has produced sharp words and at least one fight announcement, with several high-profile fighters speaking out across interviews and social media.
Arman Tsarukyan made his intentions clear, stating he wants Diego Lopes to withdraw from a prospective matchup so he can face Ilia Topuria instead, going as far as saying he wants to "kick him out of the UFC." Tsarukyan also declared he will not stop competing until he has secured at least five title defenses.
Topuria, currently ranked second in the lightweight division and first in the pound-for-pound rankings at 29 years old, did not hold back in response. The Spanish Georgian fighter, who carries a 17-1 record, fired back by calling Tsarukyan stupid and claiming he lives off his father's money, adding a threat to break his jaw in the first round.
Merab Dvalishvili used a recent media appearance to address his relationship with Dagestani fighters. The bantamweight contender was measured in his remarks, saying he holds no general grievance with fighters from Dagestan, Chechnya, Armenia, or Georgia, framing competition among them as healthy and hardworking. However, he singled out number-two ranked bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov, the 30-year-old Russian who owns a 20-1 record and averages an impressive 4.03 takedowns per 15 minutes, saying plainly that he simply does not like him.
Benoit Saint-Denis announced an upcoming fight against Paddy Pimblett in characteristically creative fashion, posting a photo of roast beef — a nod to Pimblett's English roots — on social media.
Elsewhere, heavyweight prospect Bogdan Guskov turned down a proposed bout with Baraniewski, and MMA legend Demetrious Johnson went on record predicting that Khamzat Chimaev would beat middleweight champion Sean Strickland confidently. Strickland, 35, holds a 31-7 record and leads the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute with a 76-inch reach.
