Ilia Topuria did not stay quiet after Arman Tsarukyan used his moment in Qatar to call for a lightweight title shot. Tsarukyan submitted Dan Hooker in Doha to extend his streak to five victories and immediately turned his attention toward the champion in his interviews.
A day later, Topuria released his own message on social media, and his response quickly fueled the rivalry.
“Arman, every time we see each other in person you freeze up like a scared duck with no idea what to do,” Topuria wrote. “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.”
The comment poured gasoline on the fire, especially since Tsarukyan had already made it clear he wants to compete for the championship as soon as possible.
Ilia Topuria goes off on Arman Tsarukyan and posts a video of him “slapping” him at UFC Qatar. 👀
“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… pic.twitter.com/TdvPgUaWbK
— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) November 23, 2025
Tsarukyan Responds With Sharp Words of His Own
Tsarukyan did not wait long before offering his answer to the champion.
He pushed back on Topuria’s claim about the slap and mocked the way it happened.
“Bro, you touched my neck like we were taking a family photo and now you’re calling it a slap online?” Tsarukyan wrote. “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.”
“El Pato” — Spanish for “the duck” — was Tsarukyan’s way of echoing Topuria’s own “scared duck” line right back at him.
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
Long before the post-fight arguments erupted online, Tsarukyan had already told reporters he would be willing to return quickly if the promotion offered him a title shot in January.
He repeated the same stance after defeating Hooker in Qatar, saying he felt no significant injuries and could prepare for a title fight in time for the UFC’s planned broadcast debut with Paramount.
The callout was not personal to him, he said, only business.
Topuria still has not scheduled his next title defense, while top contenders such as Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett are also pushing for their opportunity.
Tsarukyan’s performance against Hooker solidified him as one of the division’s most active contenders, and the public exchange of comments has only made the potential championship matchup even more visible.
Whether the UFC moves forward with Tsarukyan in January or chooses another direction, both fighters have already made their positions clear through their own words.
