Arman Tsarukyan made a humorous jab at Ilia Topuria, claiming Topuria is "not a man" because he shaves his backside while Tsarukyan does not. The comment appears to be part of ongoing verbal sparring between the two fighters. The post is light-hearted in tone and lacks broader context about any upcoming matchup. Details beyond this specific exchange are limited. This represents continued back-and-forth banter in what appears to be a developing rivalry.
Arman Tsarukyan took a comedic swipe at Ilia Topuria on social media, mocking the Spanish featherweight-turned-lightweight over his personal grooming habits. Tsarukyan claimed Topuria "is not a man" on the grounds that he shaves his backside, a practice Tsarukyan was eager to clarify he does not share. The exchange, posted on April 23, is the latest volley in what appears to be a growing verbal rivalry between the two lightweights.
Tsarukyan, nicknamed "Ahalkalakets," enters this spat as the number-one ranked lightweight in the world. The 29-year-old Russian, who trains out of American Top Team, carries a record of 23-3-0 and brings a genuinely dangerous all-around game to the division. He lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and averages an imposing 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the more complete fighters in the weight class.
Topuria, meanwhile, holds the number-two ranking at lightweight and sits atop the pound-for-pound list at number one. The 29-year-old, who represents Spain and trains out of Climent Club, owns a record of 17-1-0 and has built his reputation as a finishing machine. Fighting out of the orthodox stance and standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, Topuria lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and has demonstrated a well-rounded submission threat, averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan and Topuria are the top two contenders in one of the UFC's deepest divisions, making any friction between them significant
- Banter of this nature often signals a genuine desire from both camps to secure a matchup
- Their contrasting profiles — Tsarukyan's wrestling volume versus Topuria's finishing instincts — would make a stylistic clash compelling
