In a series of recent interviews, several top fighters shared their ambitions and opinions. Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to withdraw so he can fight Ilia Topuria and remove him from the UFC, calling it his goal. Tsarukyan added he will only stop after achieving at least five UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili addressed tensions with Dagestani fighters, stating he has no problems with them except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he simply dislikes, while emphasizing healthy competition among Armenian, Georgian, Chechen, and Dagestani fighters. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, responded aggressively to Tsarukyan, calling him stupid and claiming he spends his father's money, threatening to break his jaw in the first round if they fight. Additional news included Dvalishvili discussing a potential Volkanovski matchup, Benoit Saint-Denis announcing a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef on social media, and Bogdan Guskov declining a fight with Baraniewski.
A flurry of recent interviews from top UFC contenders has stirred the lightweight and bantamweight divisions, with Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria, and Merab Dvalishvili all making headlines for their pointed remarks and future ambitions.
Tsarukyan made his intentions clear, stating he wants Justin Gaethje to step aside so he can face Topuria directly, with the goal of removing him from the UFC altogether. The Armenian contender also set a personal benchmark for his career, saying he will not consider slowing down until he has secured at least five UFC title defenses.
Topuria, the number-two ranked lightweight and current pound-for-pound number-one fighter at 29 years old, was not interested in measured diplomacy. The Spain-based Georgian, who carries a 17-1-0 record, fired back at Tsarukyan, calling him stupid and accusing him of living off his father's money. Topuria threatened to end any potential fight with a broken jaw inside the first round. He averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute and lands at a 48 percent accuracy rate, with consistent grappling output as well.
Merab Dvalishvili weighed in on the regional tensions that have come to define the top of the bantamweight division, saying he holds no grudge against Dagestani fighters broadly but singled out Umar Nurmagomedov as someone he simply dislikes. Nurmagomedov, ranked second at bantamweight and 30 years old, carries a 20-1-0 record and is among the division's most complete fighters, landing 3.86 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy while averaging over four takedowns per 15 minutes. Dvalishvili also mentioned a potential matchup with Alexander Volkanovski as something on his radar.
In other news from the interview cycle, Benoit Saint-Denis announced a coming fight against Paddy Pimblett through a pointed social media post. Pimblett, ranked sixth at lightweight with a 23-4-0 record, is an active finisher who averages 5.49 significant strikes per minute and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Separately, Bogdan Guskov turned down an offered matchup with Baraniewski.
Why it matters
- A Tsarukyan-Topuria fight would determine a legitimate lightweight title challenger with top-two divisional rankings on the line
- Dvalishvili's comments deepen the ongoing rivalry narrative between Caucasian and Dagestani fighters at bantamweight
- Saint-Denis versus Pimblett pits two aggressive finishers against each other with rankings implications at 155 pounds
