Tsarukyan, Dvalishvili, and Topuria exchange verbal jabs in interviews

Multiple fighters engaged in a war of words through recent interviews. Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to drop out so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," adding that he will only stop when he has at least five title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili said he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he dislikes, but emphasized healthy competition between fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, fired back at Tsarukyan calling him "incredibly stupid" and dismissing him as a child spending his father's money rather than his own earnings. Tsarukyan also discussed a possible fight with Volkanovski and outlined prospects for Chimaev, while Demetrius Johnson predicted Chimaev's victory over O'Malley. Additionally, Benoit Saint-Denis posted roast beef (an English dish) on social media, apparently announcing a fight with Paddy Pimblett, and Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baranyewski.