Arman Tsarukyan stated he would like Max Holloway to pull out so he could fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," declaring this as his goal. Tsarukyan also said he won't stop until he has at least five UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili clarified his relationships with Dagestani fighters, saying he has no problems with them except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he specifically dislikes. Dvalishvili emphasized that fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan are all hardworking and friendly, with only healthy competition between them. An updated Topuria called Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and made disparaging comments about him, suggesting Tsarukyan spends his father's money rather than his own. Demetrius Johnson predicted a confident victory for Khamzat Chimaev over Sean Strickland. Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting a picture of roast beef (an English dish) on social media. Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baranowski.
Arman Tsarukyan made clear he has his sights set on Ilia Topuria, stating he wants Max Holloway to withdraw from their scheduled bout so he can step in and, in his own words, "kick him out of the UFC." The Armenian lightweight also revealed a broader ambition: he does not intend to stop competing until he has secured at least five UFC title defenses.
Tsarukyan's preferred target, Topuria, fired back and called the Armenian contender "incredibly stupid," adding a personal jab suggesting Tsarukyan spends his father's money rather than earnings of his own. Holloway, currently ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth pound-for-pound, carries a 27-9-0 record and lands an impressive 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, making him a formidable obstacle standing between Tsarukyan and that desired matchup.
Bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili also weighed in on regional dynamics in the sport, clarifying that he holds no ill will toward fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, or Dagestan, describing the competition among those groups as healthy and the individuals as hardworking and friendly. The one exception, he stated plainly, is Umar Nurmagomedov, the second-ranked bantamweight who holds a 20-1-0 record and averages an elite 4.03 takedowns per 15 minutes at 56 percent striking accuracy.
Elsewhere, former flyweight champion Demetrius Johnson predicted Khamzat Chimaev would defeat Sean Strickland comfortably. Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion at 31-7-0, is known for relentless volume, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute across his career with a 76-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's public campaign to replace Holloway adds pressure to the lightweight title picture and deepens his rivalry with Topuria.
- Dvalishvili's comments isolate Umar Nurmagomedov specifically, signaling the bantamweight division's next flashpoint may carry a personal edge.
- Benoit Saint-Denis announced a matchup with Paddy Pimblett via social media, posting a photo of roast beef in an apparent national reference to his British opponent.
