Tsarukyan targets Topuria, Makhachev reveals Gaethje preferences

Arman Tsarukyan stated he wants Justin Gaethje to withdraw from his upcoming fight so he can face Ilia Topuria and 'kick him out of the UFC,' declaring this as his goal. Tsarukyan also vowed to continue 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 extremely stupid and dismissed him as irrelevant, threatening to break his jaw in the first round if they fight. Tsarukyan also discussed a potential bout with Alexander Volkanovski and outlined near-term prospects for Khamzat Chimaev. Demetrious Johnson predicted a confident victory for Chimaev over Sean O'Malley, while Benoit Saint-Denis appeared to announce a fight with Paddy Pimblett by posting roast beef (an English dish) on social media. Bogdan Guskov declined a bout with an unspecified opponent.