Following his UFC Qatar victory, Arman Tsarukyan called out Ilia Topuria, expressing interest in fighting him for the lightweight title. Topuria responded on Twitter, downplaying Tsarukyan and referencing a past encounter where he claims Tsarukyan froze. Tsarukyan fired back, disputing the “slap” and challenging Topuria to a real fight. He reiterated his willingness to fight Topuria in January if the UFC arranges it, stating the callout is purely for hype and not personal. Both fighters appear open to a potential matchup.

Highlights

Here are the highlights in bullet points:

* Arman Tsarukyan called out Ilia Topuria after his UFC Qatar win.
* Topuria responded on Twitter, mocking Tsarukyan’s behavior and claiming he handles him easily.
* Tsarukyan retorted, downplaying Topuria’s “slap” and offering a real one in the cage.
* Tsarukyan says there’s no personal issue, just fight promotion, and wants the Topuria fight.

The Lightweight Division Erupts: Topuria Responds to Tsarukyan’s Callout!

The air crackles with anticipation, doesn’t it? The featherweight division has a new king, Ilia Topuria, but the lightweights are hungry. Arman Tsarukyan, fresh off a dominant victory at UFC Qatar, has thrown down the gauntlet. Is this the next monumental clash we’ve all been waiting for?

Tsarukyan’s Bold Challenge

Arman Tsarukyan, now riding a five-fight win streak, made no bones about his intentions after submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night in Doha. He wants Topuria. He wants the title. He wants it now. This isn’t just ambition; it’s a statement.

"I want to fight the best," Tsarukyan stated at the post-fight press conference. "And Topuria is the champion. It’s business, not personal. But I’m coming for that belt."

• Domination: Tsarukyan showcased his wrestling prowess, controlling Hooker on the ground.
• Urgency: The immediate callout demonstrated his unwavering focus.
• Ambition: He made it clear: The lightweight title is his target.
• Record: The impressive 5 win streak is evidence of great form.

Topuria’s Scathing Rebuttal

Topuria, never one to back down, responded swiftly and with venom. His weapon of choice? Twitter.

"Arman, every time we see each other in person you freeze up like a scared duck with no idea what to do," Topuria tweeted. "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.”

The animosity is palpable. Topuria isn’t just dismissing Tsarukyan; he’s belittling him. He’s painting a picture of a fighter who crumbles under pressure, a facade of toughness masking insecurity.

The War of Words Continues

Tsarukyan didn’t take Topuria’s insults lying down. He fired back, accusing Topuria of exaggerating their past encounter and questioning his "tough guy" persona.

“Bro, you touched my neck like we were taking a family photo and now you’re calling it a slap online?," Tsarukyan retorted. "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.”

• Contrasting Narratives: Each fighter paints a vastly different picture of their prior interactions.
• Emphasis on Action: Tsarukyan focuses on his performance in the octagon, not online theatrics.
• The "Slap" Controversy: This seemingly minor incident has become a key point of contention.

The Stage is Set

While Tsarukyan insists that the rivalry is purely business, the heated exchanges suggest otherwise. The tension is real, the stakes are high, and the fans are salivating at the prospect of these two titans clashing in the cage.

Consider this: The UFC’s lightweight division is a shark tank. With an estimated 175+ fighters on the roster, only the most dominant and charismatic can rise to the top.

But this could be a match for the ages, what will happen?

What do you think? Will Topuria defend his title against Tsarukyan? Or will Tsarukyan dethrone the champion and usher in a new era?

Let your voice be heard! Share your predictions in the comments below!

FAQ

Okay, here are 8 Frequently Asked Questions based on the provided text, along with their answers:

1. What triggered the interaction between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan?

• Answer: Arman Tsarukyan called out Ilia Topuria after his victory at UFC Qatar. He expressed his desire to fight Topuria for the lightweight title.

2. Who did Arman Tsarukyan defeat at UFC Qatar?

• Answer: Arman Tsarukyan defeated Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar via submission in the main event.

3. What was Ilia Topuria’s initial response to Tsarukyan’s callout?

• Answer: Topuria dismissed Tsarukyan, claiming Tsarukyan freezes up when they meet in person. He also mentioned an incident where he slapped Tsarukyan and Tsarukyan laughed.

4. How did Tsarukyan respond to Topuria’s claims of a "slap"?

• Answer: Tsarukyan downplayed the incident, saying Topuria just touched his neck like they were taking a family photo. He challenged Topuria to a real slap if he wants to know what it feels like.

5. Was Tsarukyan willing to fight Topuria soon after his victory at UFC Qatar?

• Answer: Yes, Tsarukyan indicated he’d be willing to fight Topuria quickly, even as early as January if the UFC requested it.

6. According to Tsarukyan, is there any personal animosity between him and Topuria?

• Answer: No. Tsarukyan stated that there is nothing personal between them and that the situation is mainly media hype to promote a potential fight.

7. What was Tsarukyan’s motivation for calling out Topuria?

• Answer: Tsarukyan’s motivation was to challenge Topuria for the lightweight title.

8. What platform did Topuria and Tsarukyan use to exchange words?

• Answer: Both Topuria and Tsarukyan used Twitter (now X) to respond to each other’s comments.