Ilia Topuria responds to Tsarukyan's challenge and calls her rival a 'scared duck'

Ilia Topuria is a rival Arman Tsarukyan. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

Arman Tsarukyan He may finally have his chance at the UFC lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) belt. After finishing Dan Hooker in the main fight of UFC Qatar, last Saturday (22), the Armenian aimed his words at the champion Ilia Topuria And he caught the champion's attention. The belt holder didn't let it go and quickly responded to his potential rival by calling him a 'scared duck'.

The confusion started right there in the octagon. UFC QatarTsarukyan, in the interview after the victory, asked for the chance to face the Spaniard. Ilia TopuriaHe reiterated the request at the press conference, but the champion wasted no time and used his Twitter account.

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“Arman, every time we meet in person, you freeze like a scared duck, not knowing what to do,” Topuria wrote on his social media. “You know I deal with you however I want. I fight whoever the UFC chooses. And remember when I slapped you and you just laughed, and then you go around acting tough? So keep going, you’re on the right track… just a few levels below me, kid,” he fired back.

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 went around acting like a gangster. So keep… pic.twitter.com/1O9S3PKOU1

— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 23, 2025

Tsarukyan responds to Topuria's provocation.

Moment of the alleged slap of Ilia Topuria (dir.) in Arman Tsarukyan (left). Photo: Reproduction / Twitter

Topuria's provocation did not go unanswered. Moments later, Tsarukyan went to Twitter and questioned Topuria's version of the slap incident.

“Dude, you touched my neck like we were taking a family photo and now you’re calling that a slap on the internet?” Tsarukyan wrote on the microblog. “The video is clear – your insecurity is even clearer. I don’t need to play the tough guy on Twitter, my job is inside the octagon. If you want to know what a real slap is like, I’ll be happy to teach you. See you soon, El Pato,” he concluded.

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

Topuria eyes fight against Islam Makhachev

even though Arman Tsarukyan Having a five-fight winning streak in the UFC and being ranked number one in the lightweight division, the eyes of Ilia Topuria It's another champion. The Spaniard doesn't hide his desire to face... Islam makhachev, former lightweight champion and current welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg).

The expectation is that the fight will be between the champions. Islam makhachev x Arman Tsarukyan This could happen at UFC Casa Branca, an event scheduled for June 2026.