Arman Tsarukyan made controversial comments about Ilia Topuria, calling him 'not a man' based on personal grooming differences. Tsarukyan stated that Topuria 'shaves his butt' while he does not, using this as the basis for his criticism. The post included laughing and shrugging emojis, suggesting the comment was made in a lighthearted or trolling manner. No context was provided about what prompted this statement or whether it relates to any upcoming fight between the two. The nature of the comment appears to be typical pre-fight banter or social media trash talk.
Arman Tsarukyan took to social media on April 23 to take a pointed — if tongue-in-cheek — shot at lightweight contender Ilia Topuria, declaring the former featherweight champion "not a man" over an alleged difference in personal grooming habits.
Tsarukyan, ranked first in the lightweight division, made the remarks in what appeared to be a trolling post accompanied by laughing and shrugging emojis. The Russian fighter claimed that Topuria "shaves his butt" while he does not, framing the grooming distinction as a measure of masculinity. No specific provocation for the comment was provided, and it reads as straightforward social media trash talk rather than any formal callout.
Tsarukyan, who trains out of American Top Team, carries a 23-3-0 record and is one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the 155-pound class, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. The 29-year-old stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and lands significant strikes at a 50 percent accuracy clip.
Topuria, meanwhile, holds a 17-1-0 record and currently sits at number two in the lightweight rankings while occupying the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Spain-based Georgian is 29 years old, shares the same five-foot-seven frame as Tsarukyan, and has a 69-inch reach. Fighting out of Climent Club, he lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute with 48 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan and Topuria are the two highest-ranked lightweights outside the championship picture, making any friction between them divisionally significant.
- A matchup between the top two contenders at 155 pounds would carry serious title-eliminator weight.
- The exchange, however lighthearted, keeps both fighters in the public conversation at a time when the lightweight title picture is unsettled.
