In a series of statements, several fighters have traded verbal jabs and outlined their ambitions. Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to pull out so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," adding he won't stop until he has at least five title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili clarified he has no issues with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, emphasizing healthy competition among Caucasian fighters. Topuria responded harshly to Tsarukyan, calling him "incredibly stupid" and threatening to break his jaw in the first round if they meet. Tsarukyan also discussed a potential Volkanovski bout and Chimaev's prospects. Benoit Saint-Denis hinted at a Paddy Pimblett matchup by posting roast beef on social media, while Bogdan Guskov declined a bout with an unnamed opponent.
Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria, and Merab Dvalishvili have all been trading pointed remarks in a flurry of public statements, with the lightweight title picture at the center of the conversation.
Tsarukyan made clear he wants Justin Gaethje to withdraw from his scheduled bout so he can step in and face Topuria, declaring he intends to "kick him out of the UFC" and that he will not stop competing until he has at least five title defenses to his name. The Armenian fighter also touched on a potential matchup with Alexander Volkanovski and weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev's divisional prospects.
Topuria, the current number-two ranked lightweight and the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world at 29 years old, did not hold back in response. The Spain-based Georgian fighter carries a 17-1 record and averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute, and he warned Tsarukyan he would break his jaw inside the first round if the two ever meet, calling his rival "incredibly stupid."
Merab Dvalishvili entered the conversation from a different angle, stating that his only grievance among Caucasian fighters is with bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov. The Russian Nurmagomedov, ranked second at 135 pounds and just 30 years old, has built a reputation as one of the division's most complete fighters, landing 4.03 takedowns per fifteen minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 56 percent. Dvalishvili was careful to frame the rest of his regional rivalries as healthy competition rather than genuine animosity.
Elsewhere in the news cycle, Benoit Saint-Denis appeared to hint at a matchup with Paddy Pimblett through a social media post featuring roast beef, a nod widely read as a callout. Bogdan Guskov, meanwhile, turned down a fight offer from an unnamed opponent.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan positioning himself as Gaethje's replacement would put him directly on a collision course with the top-ranked lightweight title picture.
- Topuria's sharp response signals the rivalry between the two is personal, raising the stakes of any future booking.
- Dvalishvili singling out Nurmagomedov keeps the heat on one of bantamweight's most anticipated matchups.
