Top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan headlined this past Saturday’s UFC Qatar fight 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 lightweight titleholder Ilia Topuria. The champion cornered his brother, Aleksandre, on the preliminary fight card. The older of the two defeated Bekzat Almakhan via unanimous decision.
Following the event, Topuria and Tsarukyan crossed paths backstage and it was caught on film. What appeared to be a cordial encounter was later characterized as something 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 person you freeze up like a scared duck with no idea what to do. 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… pic.twitter.com/1O9S3PKOU1
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 23, 2025
Tsarukyan scoffed at Topuria’s characterization of the situation 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 were taking a family photo and now you’re calling it a slap online?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… 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 should be fighting for the title in his next outing. It would be the second time the 29 year-old would be booked for in a championship bout. He was scheduled to fight for the title against then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 last January but was forced out of the fight the day before the event due to injury.
