Tsarukyan targets Topuria bout, calls Georgian champion unintelligent and broke

Arman Tsarukyan has escalated his rivalry with Ilia Topuria, calling the featherweight champion extremely unintelligent and criticizing him as someone who spends his father's money rather than his own earnings. Tsarukyan stated he wants Diego Lopes to miss weight so he can fight Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," declaring that as his goal. The Armenian fighter also vowed to continue 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 dislikes personally, while emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Benoit Saint-Denis appeared to tease a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef to social media, while Bogdan Guskov reportedly declined a fight with a Polish opponent.