Arman Tsarukyan to Topuria: “If you win, I will wipe the octagon floor with your face”

Arman Tsarukyan fired back sharply at Ilia Topuria’s comments, made in an interview with Spanish media ahead of UFC 317. The event takes place on June 29, with the main event featuring Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title. Tsarukyan, who recently fought Oliveira, has been named the backup fighter in case one of the participants drops out.

Topuria criticized Arman’s role:

“It’s laughable to agree to be a backup on short notice against the two best in the world. Charles and I have prepared for each other physically and mentally. He doesn’t even know who he might fight. Whoever he faces, he’ll have no strategy. He’ll most likely lose. Maybe he just wants to fix things with the UFC and is willing to do anything. Maybe even mop the floor.”

Tsarukyan replied on social media platform X, short but brutal:

“If you win Oliveira, I will wipe the octagon floor with your face.”

Sportaran's commentary:

Topuria seems irritated by the very idea of a replacement. He realizes that Tsarukyan might step in with a different, unpredictable gameplan. Tsarukyan has already fought Oliveira and knows his style, but he likely trained specifically for Topuria. Ilia fears not just the replacement, but being unprepared for a new opponent on the most important night of his career.

Arman Tsarukyan Fires Back at Topuria: Hinting at a Future Fight?