Tsarukyan wants to fight Topuria, targets five title defenses

Arman Tsarukyan stated he would like Diego Lopes to miss weight so he could fight Ilia Topuria instead, claiming he would "kick him out of the UFC." Tsarukyan also declared he won't stop until he has at least five UFC title defenses. Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili clarified he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he simply dislikes, while emphasizing healthy competition exists between fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya and Dagestan. Topuria responded harshly to Tsarukyan's comments, calling him extremely stupid and claiming he would break Tsarukyan's jaw in the first round if they fought. Benoit Saint-Denis appeared to announce a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef on social media, while Bogdan Guskov reportedly declined a fight with Barbanczyk.