Arman Tsarukyan stated he would like Justin Gaethje to withdraw so he could fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of UFC," calling it his goal. He also said he will only stop when he has at least five UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili commented that he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he simply dislikes, while emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria responded by calling Tsarukyan stupid and saying he would break his jaw in the first round if they fought. The post also mentions Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef on social media, and that Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baraniewicz.
Arman Tsarukyan has gone public with his desire to face lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, stating he hopes Justin Gaethje withdraws from a potential title shot so he can step in and, in his words, "kick him out of UFC." The Armenian contender added that he will not stop competing until he has at least five UFC title defenses to his name.
Topuria, who holds a 17-1-0 record and currently sits at number two in the lightweight rankings, is also rated the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The 29-year-old Spanish fighter lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and averages more than one submission attempt per 15 minutes, making him a complete threat wherever the fight goes. He was not shy in responding to Tsarukyan's comments, calling him stupid and promising to break his jaw in the first round.
Georgian bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili also weighed in on regional dynamics, saying he has no issues with Dagestani fighters as a group but singled out Umar Nurmagomedov as someone he simply dislikes. Nurmagomedov, ranked second at bantamweight and carrying a 20-1-0 record, averages 4.03 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at a 56 percent accuracy rate — among the sharpest in the division. Dvalishvili framed the broader dynamic between fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan as healthy competition rather than genuine animosity.
Elsewhere, Benoit Saint-Denis announced a forthcoming bout with Paddy Pimblett through a social media post featuring roast beef — an apparent nod to the Liverpool native's English roots. Pimblett holds a 23-4-0 record and sits sixth in the lightweight rankings. The 31-year-old averages 5.49 significant strikes per minute and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more active offensive fighters in the division. Separately, Bogdan Guskov declined a proposed matchup with Baraniewicz.
Why it matters
- A Tsarukyan-Topuria fight would be a top-two lightweight showdown with the title on the line
- Dvalishvili's comments signal potential future friction at bantamweight with Nurmagomedov, the division's second-ranked contender
- Saint-Denis versus Pimblett adds a high-profile lightweight clash with implications for the top-ten rankings
