Arman Tsarukyan has stated he would like Justin Gaethje to withdraw from his upcoming fight so he could face Ilia Topuria instead, with the goal of 'throwing him out of the UFC.' Tsarukyan also said he will only stop competing once he has at least five title defenses. Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili commented that he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, emphasizing healthy competition between fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, fired back at Tsarukyan with harsh words, calling him unintelligent and claiming he would break his jaw in the first round if they fought. Additional notes mention Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident win for Khamzat Chimaev over Sean Strickland, Benoit Saint-Denis teased a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef imagery, and Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with an opponent named Baranievski.
Arman Tsarukyan has publicly stated he wants Justin Gaethje to pull out of their scheduled bout so he can face Ilia Topuria instead, declaring his intention to "throw him out of the UFC" if the two were to meet.
Tsarukyan also made clear he has no plans to walk away from the sport until he has secured at least five title defenses, signaling long-term ambitions at the top of the lightweight division.
Topuria, currently ranked second in the lightweight division and first on the pound-for-pound list at 29 years old, did not hold back in his response. The Spanish fighter fired back at Tsarukyan with sharp words, calling him unintelligent and claiming he would break his jaw inside the first round. Competing at 17-1-0, Topuria lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and also presents a persistent submission threat, averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Also in the mix of regional rivalry commentary, bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili addressed the dynamics between fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan, saying he has no issues with Dagestani fighters as a group but singled out Umar Nurmagomedov as a specific exception. Nurmagomedov, ranked second in the bantamweight division at 20-1-0, is one of the more complete fighters in the 135-pound class, landing takedowns at a rate of 4.03 per 15 minutes and connecting on 56 percent of his significant strikes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan calling out Topuria adds pressure to an already crowded lightweight title picture
- A potential cross-divisional or catchweight angle exists given Topuria's recent move to lightweight
- Dvalishvili's comments reflect ongoing tensions between fighters from the Caucasus region that could shape future matchmaking at bantamweight
- Topuria's direct and combative response suggests both fighters are open to a collision course
