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.
A fresh wave of trash talk has swept through the MMA media circuit, with lightweight contenders Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria trading insults and Merab Dvalishvili weighing in on regional rivalries ahead of potential matchups taking shape at 155 pounds and beyond.
Tsarukyan made clear he has no interest in waiting his turn patiently. The Armenian fighter stated that he hopes Justin Gaethje withdraws from his scheduled contest so he can step in, face Topuria directly, and, in his words, kick him out of the UFC. Tsarukyan also declared he will not be satisfied until he has secured at least five title defenses, signaling long-term ambitions at lightweight. He separately floated the idea of a fight with Alexander Volkanovski and offered thoughts on a potential Khamzat Chimaev matchup.
Topuria, the pound-for-pound number-one ranked fighter in the world, did not hold back in response. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who carries a 17-1 record and lands nearly five significant strikes per minute, dismissed Tsarukyan as "incredibly stupid" and mocked him as a child spending his father's money rather than earnings of his own.
Dvalishvili, meanwhile, used a recent interview to address the broader Caucasus and Central Asian fighter landscape. The Georgian-born bantamweight said he holds no grudge against Dagestani fighters generally but singled out number-two ranked bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov, 30, as an exception. Dvalishvili framed the wider dynamic between fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan as healthy competition rather than genuine animosity.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's Gaethje comments put pressure on the lightweight division's near-term booking and a potential title shot scenario
- Topuria's public dismissal of Tsarukyan raises the stakes if the two are eventually matched at lightweight
- Dvalishvili's pointed remarks about Umar Nurmagomedov, currently ranked second at bantamweight, hint at a rivalry that could influence title contention at 135 pounds
- Chimaev drew attention from former champion Demetrius Johnson, adding to the noise around a possible matchup with Sean O'Malley
