Prime light-weight contender Arman Tsarukyan headlined this previous Saturday’s UFC Qatar combat card in opposition to 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 combat 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 totally 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. “You already know I deal with you nevertheless I would like. I combat whoever the UFC chooses. And bear in mind I slapped you and also you simply laughed, then you definately go round appearing like a gangster. So maintain going, you’re on the fitting path… just some ranges under me, child.”
Arman, each time we see one another in individual you freeze up like a scared duck with no thought what to do. You already know I deal with you nevertheless I would like. I combat whoever the UFC chooses. And bear in mind I slapped you and also you simply laughed, then you definately go round appearing like a gangster. So maintain… 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 had been taking a household picture and now you’re calling it a slap on-line,” Tsarukyan mentioned.
“The clip is obvious – 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 looks like, I’ll be glad to coach you. See you quickly, El Pato.”
Bro, you touched my neck like we had been taking a household picture and now you’re calling it a slap on-line?The clip is obvious – 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 looks 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 ought to be preventing for the title in his subsequent outing. It will be the second time the 29 year-old could be booked for in a championship bout. He was scheduled to combat for the title in opposition to then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 final January however was compelled out of the combat the day earlier than the occasion as a consequence of damage.
