Tsarukyan targets Topuria, Dvalishvili discusses Nurmagomedov rivalry

Lightweight champion Arman Tsarukyan stated he would like Justin Gaethje to withdraw so he could fight Ilia Topuria, promising to "kick him out of the UFC." Tsarukyan also declared he won't stop until he has at least five UFC title defenses. Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili addressed his relationship with Dagestani fighters, saying he has no issues except with Umar Nurmagomedov, whom he simply dislikes. Dvalishvili emphasized that fighters from Armenia, Georgia, Chechnya, and Dagestan share a hardworking mentality and healthy competition. Meanwhile, Topuria fired back at Tsarukyan with harsh words, calling him stupid and claiming he would break his jaw in the first round. Additional reports indicate Benoit Saint-Denis announced a fight with Paddy Pimblett, Demetrious Johnson predicted Chimaev would defeat O'Malley, and Bogdan Guskov declined a fight with an unnamed opponent.