Arman Tsarukyan made controversial comments about Ilia Topuria, questioning his masculinity based on personal grooming habits. According to Tsarukyan, he called Topuria "not a man" because "he shaves his butt, and I don't." The bizarre statement appears to be part of ongoing verbal exchanges between the two fighters. The comment was shared across multiple MMA media channels and represents an unusual angle in pre-fight trash talk. The context and seriousness of Tsarukyan's remarks remain unclear from the available information.
Arman Tsarukyan has taken an unconventional approach to lightweight trash talk, publicly questioning Ilia Topuria's masculinity over personal grooming habits in comments that circulated widely across MMA media on April 23.
Tsarukyan's reasoning was as blunt as it was unusual. The Russian fighter stated he considers Topuria "not a man" because, in his words, "he shaves his butt, and I don't." Whether the remark was intended as genuine criticism or deadpan provocation remains unclear, though it adds another layer to what has been an ongoing verbal back-and-forth between the two men.
Tsarukyan, nicknamed "Ahalkalakets," carries a 23-3 record and currently holds the number-one ranking in the lightweight division. The 29-year-old trains out of American Top Team and brings an aggressive, wrestling-heavy game to the cage, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes with striking accuracy of 50 percent.
Topuria, known as "El Matador," sits at number two in the division and ranks first in the pound-for-pound standings. Also 29, the Spain-based Georgian-born fighter holds a 17-1 record and is one of the more complete offensive threats in the weight class, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute while also averaging nearly two takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan and Topuria are the two highest-ranked lightweights in the division, making any friction between them relevant to title picture positioning.
- The ongoing verbal exchanges suggest a rivalry that could be building toward a future matchup.
- At identical heights of five-foot-seven and 29 years of age, the stylistic contrast — Tsarukyan's takedown volume versus Topuria's striking output — gives any potential fight genuine competitive intrigue.
