Khamzat Chimaev is not planning to be a peacekeeper if tensions boil over between Arman Tsarukyan and UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria at UFC Qatar. In fact, he says he would gladly allow them to settle it one on one if a backstage confrontation happens.
Tsarukyan and Topuria are both in Doha during fight week. Tsarukyan is headlining Saturday’s main event against Dan Hooker, while Topuria is cornering his brother Aleksandre on the prelims. With Tsarukyan potentially fighting for the title next, and Topuria openly calling him out in interviews, the rivalry has continued to grow. Both fighters have verbally attacked each other publicly, adding fuel to their brewing feud.
Chimaev is cornering Tsarukyan this Saturday. The undefeated former welterweight and current middleweight champion says he will have Tsarukyan’s back if anything happens, but he would not prevent a single challenge.
“If something happens, let them go one on one,” Chimaev told Hustle Vlog. “We will beat all the extra people and they will go one on one. I hope nothing like that will happen. But this is sport and we need this kind of hype. We need big loud fights. They are doing the right thing. Both are promoting their fight. Someday it will happen.”
Topuria already had a minor verbal exchange earlier in the week with Paddy Pimblett, another potential title contender. That situation ended without violence, but UFC security will likely be monitoring Tsarukyan and Topuria closely.
For now, Chimaev is focused on helping Tsarukyan prepare for Dan Hooker. He praised the Armenian-Russian lightweight for his training intensity and for motivating him before his championship performance at UFC 319 against Dricus du Plessis.
“It was the same scenario with me before my fight,” Chimaev said. “During the fight he stopped me where needed, boosted me and so on. He supported me with words. Those who work like this will understand us.”
When asked about Hooker as an opponent, Chimaev did not hesitate to show his confidence.
“Every top fighter is dangerous, but he is not on our level,” he said.
If Tsarukyan gets past Hooker, and if Topuria successfully defends his title in 2025, a future title fight between the two seems increasingly likely. And whether it happens inside the cage or almost outside of it, Chimaev is ready to support his fighter.
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