Arman Tsarukyan stated he would like to fight Ilia Topuria and 'kick him out of the UFC' if Justin Gaethje withdraws from their upcoming bout. Tsarukyan also declared he will only stop when he has at least five UFC title defenses. In related comments, Merab Dvalishvili said he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomadov, emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria responded by calling Tsarukyan 'incredibly stupid' and threatening to break his jaw in the first round. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions and potential future matchups in the lightweight and featherweight divisions.
Arman Tsarukyan has publicly called out featherweight-turned-lightweight contender Ilia Topuria, stating he would welcome the fight and "kick him out of the UFC" if Justin Gaethje withdraws from their scheduled lightweight bout.
Tsarukyan, who is set to face Gaethje, made clear he has no shortage of ambition beyond that matchup, declaring he will not stop competing until he has secured at least five UFC title defenses. Topuria was quick to fire back, calling Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and promising to break his jaw in the first round.
Topuria, 29, represents Spain and carries a 17-1-0 record. He currently sits second in the lightweight rankings and holds the number-one pound-for-pound spot. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and adds nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat at five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach.
Gaethje, the reigning lightweight champion, is 37 years old and holds a 28-5-0 record fighting out of the United States. He is one of the division's most prolific strikers, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy. At five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach, he brings clear size advantages to the 155-pound class.
Bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili, ranked first at 135 pounds and second pound-for-pound with a 21-5-0 record, also weighed in on regional dynamics, noting he holds no issues with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomadov and pointing to healthy rivalry among fighters representing Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's callout puts Topuria in the frame as a backup lightweight opponent if Gaethje withdraws
- A Tsarukyan-Topuria fight would pit the number-two ranked lightweight against the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the sport
- Dvalishvili's comments add a broader regional subplot to an already heated Caucasus-linked rivalry network across multiple divisions
