Tsarukyan targets Topuria, calls him 'incredibly stupid'

Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to pull out so he can fight Ilia Topuria and 'kick him out of the UFC,' calling it his goal. Tsarukyan declared he won't stop until he has at least five UFC title defenses. Merab Dvalishvili clarified he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomadov, saying he simply doesn't like him, while emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who updated his chest tattoo, called Tsarukyan 'incredibly stupid' and a 'complete idiot,' criticizing everything he's seen about him online as 'total cringe.' Topuria dismissed Tsarukyan as not being on his level, claiming he spends his father's money rather than his own, and threatened to break his jaw in the first round if they meet. Tsarukyan also discussed a potential bout with Volkanovski and outlined near-term prospects for Chimaev. Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Chimaev over Strickland, while Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Pimblett by posting roast beef (an English dish) on social media. Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baranyevsky.