Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan go at it on | MMA News
Top light-weight contender Arman Tsarukyan headlined this past Saturday’s UFC Qatar battle card against No . 6 ranked Dan Hooker. The Georgian secured a second-round submission win solidifying his place at the top of the division.
In attendance was light-weight titleholder Ilia Topuria. The champion cornered his brother, Aleksandre, on the preliminary battle card. The older of the 2 defeated Bekzat Almakhan via unanimous resolution.
Following the event, Topuria and Tsarukyan crossed paths backstage and it was caught on movie. What appeared to be a cordial encounter was later characterised as one thing different by the champion.
“Arman, every time we see each other in person you freeze up like a scared duck with no idea what to do,” Topuria wrote on X. “You know I handle you however I want. I fight whoever the UFC chooses. And remember I slapped you and you just laughed, then you go around acting like a gangster. So keep going, you’re on the right path… just a few levels below me, kid.”
Arman, every time we see each other in individual you freeze up like a scared duck with no thought what to do. You know I deal with you however I need. I battle whoever the UFC chooses. And keep in mind I slapped you and you just laughed, then you go around performing like a gangster. So keep… pic.twitter.com/1O9S3PKOU1
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 23, 2025
Tsarukyan scoffed at Topuria’s characterization of the scenario and refuted that a ‘slap’ occurred.
“Bro, you touched my neck like we were taking a family photo and now you’re calling it a slap online,” Tsarukyan said.
“The clip is clear – your insecurity’s even clearer. I don’t need to act tough for Twitter, my work is inside the cage. If you want to know what a real slap feels like, I’ll be happy to educate you. See you soon, El Pato.”
Bro, you touched my neck like we have been taking a household picture and now you’re calling it a slap online?
The clip is clear – your insecurity’s even clearer.
I don’t need to act powerful for Twitter, my work is inside the cage.
If you need to know what a real slap seems like, I’ll be… https://t.co/u0C2HGilnl— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) November 23, 2025
Tsarukyan is the clear top contender in the 155-pound division and believes he must be preventing for the title in his next outing. It can be the second time the 29 year-old can be booked for in a championship bout. He was scheduled to battle for the title against then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 last January but was compelled out of the battle the day before the event due to injury.
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