Tsarukyan targets Topuria, Merab discusses regional fighters, Saint-Denis announces Pimblett fight

Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to pull out so he can fight and "kick Topuria out of the UFC," declaring this his goal and saying 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, emphasizing that fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan are all hardworking and friendly with healthy competition between them. Ilia Topuria, who updated his chest tattoo, launched harsh criticism at Tsarukyan, calling him unintelligent and predicting he would break his jaw in the first round if they fought. 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 Baranyevski, and Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Khamzat Chimaev over Sean Strickland.