Multiple UFC fighters have engaged in verbal exchanges through media statements. Arman Tsarukyan said he wants to fight Ilia Topuria and remove him from the UFC, stating he won't stop until 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 among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria responded harshly to Tsarukyan, calling him stupid and saying he would break his jaw in the first round if they fought. Additional items mention Tsarukyan discussing a potential Volkanovski bout, predictions for Chimaev vs O'Malley, Benoit Saint-Denis possibly facing Paddy Pimblett based on a social media post, and Bogdan Guskov declining a fight with Baranyevski.
A three-way war of words has broken out among some of the UFC's most prominent fighters from the Caucasus region, with Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria, and Merab Dvalishvili all trading sharp statements through the media.
Tsarukyan, the Armenian lightweight contender, made clear he has Topuria squarely in his sights. He stated he wants to not only fight Topuria but remove him from the UFC entirely, adding that he intends to rack up at least five title defenses before he is done. He also mentioned a potential bout with Alexander Volkanovski as something on his radar.
Topuria, now competing at lightweight after moving up from featherweight, did not hold back in his response. The 29-year-old Spaniard, ranked second in the lightweight division and first in the pound-for-pound rankings, called Tsarukyan stupid and claimed he would break his jaw inside the opening round. Topuria carries a 17-1 record and lands an impressive 4.81 significant strikes per minute, making his striking threat a credible one to underline the bravado.
Dvalishvili entered the conversation with a more measured tone, saying he holds no grudge against Dagestani fighters generally but singled out bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov as someone he genuinely dislikes. He framed the broader dynamic as healthy competition among fighters representing Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Nurmagomedov, 30, sits ranked second at bantamweight with a 20-1 record and lands takedowns at a rate of 4.03 per 15 minutes, making him one of the division's most dangerous all-around threats.
Why it matters
- A Tsarukyan-Topuria fight would be a title eliminator or championship bout at lightweight, one of the UFC's most competitive divisions
- Dvalishvili's public comments on Nurmagomedov add tension to a potential future bantamweight matchup between two elite grapplers
- The regional rivalry between fighters from Georgia, Armenia, and Dagestan is increasingly playing out in public, raising the stakes for any future bookings involving these athletes
