Tsarukyan vows to throw Topuria out of UFC, targets 5 title defenses

Arman Tsarukyan stated he would like Justin Gaethje to withdraw from his fight so he could face Ilia Topuria and "throw him out of the UFC," calling it his goal. Tsarukyan also declared he will only stop when he has at least five UFC title defenses. Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili clarified he has no problems with Dagestani fighters except Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he simply dislikes, emphasizing that fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan are hardworking people engaged in healthy competition. Topuria, who recently updated his chest tattoo, called Tsarukyan stupid and said he would break his jaw in the first round if they met, dismissing him as a child spending his father's money. Tsarukyan also discussed a possible bout with Volkanovski and outlined prospects for Khamzat Chimaev. Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Chimaev over Sean Strickland, while Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Pimblett by posting a roast beef image. Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with Baraniewski.