Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan stated he would like Diego Lopes to miss weight so he could fight Ilia Topuria instead, adding that he would knock Topuria out of the UFC. Tsarukyan declared he will only stop when he has at least five title defenses. Meanwhile, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili clarified he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he dislikes personally, emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria responded to Tsarukyan, calling him stupid and saying he would break his jaw in the first round if they fought. Tsarukyan also discussed a potential bout with Alexander Volkanovski and outlined prospects for Khamzat Chimaev. Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Chimaev over Sean Strickland. Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting a roast beef image on social media, and Bogdan Guskov declined a bout with Baranyevsky.
