Tsarukyan targets Topuria, Merab clarifies Dagestani relationships

Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Diego Lopes to miss weight so he could fight Ilia Topuria and "throw him out of the UFC," declaring this as his goal. Tsarukyan also said he will only stop once he has at least five UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili clarified he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he dislikes, while emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, called Arman "incredibly stupid" and "a child spending his father's money," promising to break his jaw in the first round if they meet. Tsarukyan discussed a possible fight with Volkanovski and outlined near-term prospects for Chimaev. Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Chimaev over Strickland, while Benoit Saint-Denis appeared to announce a fight with Pimblett by posting roast beef on social media. Bogdan Guskov reportedly declined a bout with Baranievski.