High light-weight contender Arman Tsarukyan headlined this previous Saturday’s UFC Qatar battle card towards No . 6 ranked Dan Hooker. The Georgian secured a second-round submission win solidifying his place on the prime 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 by way of unanimous choice.
Following the occasion, Topuria and Tsarukyan crossed paths backstage and it was caught on movie. What seemed to be a cordial encounter was later characterised as one thing completely different by the champion.
„Arman, each time we see one another in individual you freeze up like a scared duck with no thought what to do,“ Topuria wrote on X. “ I deal with you nevertheless I need. I battle whoever the UFC chooses. And bear in mind I slapped you and also you simply laughed, then you definately go round performing like a gangster. So preserve going, you’re on the precise path… only a few ranges beneath me, child.“
Arman, each time we see one another in individual you freeze up like a scared duck with no thought what to do. I deal with you nevertheless I need. I battle whoever the UFC chooses. And bear in mind I slapped you and also you simply laughed, then you definately go round performing like a gangster. So preserve… pic.twitter.com/1O9S3PKOU1
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 23, 2025
Tsarukyan scoffed at Topuria’s characterization of the state of affairs and refuted {that a} ’slap‘ occurred.
„Bro, you touched my neck like we have been taking a household picture and now you’re calling it a slap on-line,“ Tsarukyan mentioned.
„The clip is evident – your insecurity’s even clearer. I don’t must act robust for Twitter, my work is contained in the cage. If you wish to know what an actual slap appears like, I’ll be completely satisfied to coach you. See you quickly, El Pato.“
Bro, you touched my neck like we have been taking a household picture and now you’re calling it a slap on-line?The clip is evident – your insecurity’s even clearer.I don’t must act robust for Twitter, my work is contained in the cage.If you wish to know what an actual slap appears like, I’ll be… https://t.co/u0C2HGilnl
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) November 23, 2025
Tsarukyan is the clear prime contender within the 155-pound division and believes he needs to be preventing for the title in his subsequent outing. It could be the second time the 29 year-old could be booked for in a championship bout. He was scheduled to battle for the title towards then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 final January however was compelled out of the battle the day earlier than the occasion attributable to harm.
