Arman Tsarukyan stated he would like Justin Gaethje to miss weight so he could fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," calling it his goal. Tsarukyan also declared he will only stop when he has at least five UFC title defenses. Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili said he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, stating that Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan all have hardworking people and healthy competition. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, called Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and dismissed him as irrelevant, threatening to break his jaw in the first round if they fight. Additional notes mentioned Tsarukyan discussing a potential Volkanovski fight, predictions about Chimaev, and Benoit Saint-Denis posting roast beef to hint at a Paddy Pimblett fight.
Arman Tsarukyan has made his ambitions clear, stating publicly that he hopes Justin Gaethje misses weight at their upcoming bout so that he can instead face Ilia Topuria and, in his words, "kick him out of the UFC." Tsarukyan also laid out a broader career goal, saying he will not stop competing until he has secured at least five UFC title defenses.
Topuria, the 29-year-old Spanish lightweight ranked second in the division and first in the pound-for-pound standings, was not short on a response. The 17-1 fighter from Climent Club called Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid," dismissed him as irrelevant, and threatened to break his jaw inside the first round if the two ever share the octagon. Topuria averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute and lands at a 48 percent accuracy rate, backing up a reputation as one of the sport's most dangerous finishers.
Bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili also entered the conversation, though in a more measured tone. He stated he has no issues with fighters from Dagestan, Armenia, Georgia, or Chechnya, singling out only Umar Nurmagomedov as an exception. Nurmagomedov, ranked second at bantamweight and representing Eagles MMA out of Russia, carries a 20-1 record at 30 years old. He averages 4.03 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 56 percent of his significant strikes, making him one of the division's most well-rounded threats.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's callout of Topuria adds pressure to the lightweight title picture heading into what is already a crowded 155-pound division
- Topuria's dismissal of Tsarukyan as irrelevant suggests little appetite for negotiation and sets up a personal rivalry if the matchup materializes
- The Dvalishvili-Nurmagomedov tension points to a potential bantamweight clash between two of the division's elite contenders
