Tsarukyan targets Topuria, Merab clarifies Dagestan relationship

Arman Tsarukyan stated he would like Diego Lopes to miss weight so he could fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," calling it his goal. Tsarukyan also said he won't stop until he has at least five UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili clarified he has no issues with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, emphasizing that fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya and Dagestan are all hardworking and maintain healthy competition. Meanwhile, Topuria harshly criticized Tsarukyan, calling him "incredibly stupid" and claiming he would break Tsarukyan's jaw in the first round if they fought. Benoit Saint-Denis also appeared to tease a fight with Paddy Pimblett through social media.