In a compilation of recent fighter statements, Arman Tsarukyan expressed his desire for Justin Gaethje to withdraw so he could fight Ilia Topuria and remove him from the UFC, stating this is his goal. Tsarukyan also said he won't stop until he has at least five UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili stated he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he specifically dislikes, while emphasizing that fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya and Dagestan are hardworking and engage in healthy competition. Topuria responded by calling Tsarukyan stupid and saying he would break his jaw in the first round if they fought. The post also mentions Tsarukyan discussing a potential Volkanovski bout, Demetrious Johnson predicting Chimaev's victory over Strickland, and Benoit Saint-Denis posting roast beef imagery in connection with Paddy Pimblett.
Arman Tsarukyan has publicly called out Ilia Topuria, stating he wants Justin Gaethje to step aside so he can fight the lightweight contender and, in his words, remove him from the UFC. Tsarukyan added that he will not stop competing until he has secured at least five UFC title defenses.
Topuria, 29, represents Spain and currently sits ranked second in the lightweight division and first in the pound-for-pound standings with a record of 17-1-0. Fighting out of Climent Club, he lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a threat in multiple areas. He fired back at Tsarukyan's call-out directly, calling him stupid and asserting he would break his jaw inside the first round.
Merab Dvalishvili also featured in the same round of fighter statements, drawing a line between regional rivalries and personal ones. The Georgian bantamweight said he has no issue with fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, or Dagestan in general, describing them as hardworking and engaged in healthy competition. The one exception he named was Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he said he specifically dislikes. Nurmagomedov, 30, fights out of Russia's Eagles MMA and is ranked second in the bantamweight division with a 20-1-0 record. He is one of the division's most dangerous grapplers, averaging 4.03 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a 56 percent accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's call-out puts public pressure on the lightweight title picture and the role Gaethje plays in it
- Topuria's sharp response signals no interest in avoiding the matchup, raising the likelihood of continued back-and-forth
- The Dvalishvili-Nurmagomedov tension adds a personal edge to what is already one of bantamweight's most anticipated potential bouts
