During the high-stakes lead-up to UFC fight week in Qatar, simmering tensions between lightweight stars Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria are present. Moreover, Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, who will corner Tsarukyan in his next fight, makes his position obvious.
If things come to a boil backstage, he is not there to break it up but rather to ensure its fairness. Khamzat Chimaev explained to the reporter that if a conflict breaks out between Topuria and Tsarukyan, he will intervene only to remove other people.
He also remarked that they should be left to go one-on-one and settle things face to face, and we take care of the rest of the things.
Why Is Khamzat Pushing for This Fight?
Chimaev views a showdown between Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria as not only inevitable but also vital; his remarks go beyond just safeguarding his buddy. Tsarukyan just defeated Dan Hooker in the main event in Qatar, and soon after this, Chimaev challenged Usman and Topuria, targeting them after UFC 322. This feud has been growing for months.
Notwithstanding the garbage talking, Chimaev positions his intervention as a step toward clarity, letting Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan settle their issues in a meaningful one-on-one battle without borders or interference. He contends that the sport needs precisely this kind of hype, the raw randomness of genuine hatred.
Chimaev also lauded Tsarukyan’s contribution to his own path in the UFC. During the middleweight title bout at UFC 319, Tsarukyan was in his corner, from where he was cheering Chimaev and assisting him in maintaining discipline between rounds. He thinks his relationship with Tsarukyan gives him more at stake in any future fight with Topuria, not only as an observer but also as someone who knows both combatants’ mentalities. Chimaev hasn’t denied Topuria’s talent, but he believes that Tsarukyan is a more deserving challenger.