Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Gaethe to pull out so he can fight Ilia Topuria and "kick him out of the UFC," calling it his goal. Tsarukyan also 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 Nurmagomedov, whom he simply doesn't like, while emphasizing healthy competition among fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, called Tsarukyan "incredibly stupid" and "a complete idiot," claiming Tsarukyan isn't on his level and threatening to break his jaw in the first round if they meet. Tsarukyan also discussed a potential fight with Volkanovski and outlined prospects for Chimaev. Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Khamzat over Sean, while Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Pimblett by posting roast beef on social media. Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baranyevski.
