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Khamzat Chimaev Mocks Arman Tsarukyan Over Wrestling Smaller Fighters

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Pavan Sharma | Last updated Apr 8, 2026 10:18 AM ET

Arman Tsarukyan is currently sidelined from a title shot, but he’s been doing wrestling matches outside the UFC and winning them dominantly. Now, Khamzat Chimaev is mocking Tsarukyan for wrestling former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev, who is much smaller.

The Armenian fighter has said multiple times that these wrestling matches are his side quest and that his aim is to capture UFC gold. Now, Chimaev has called out the 29-year-old for his side quests and mentioned that he doesn’t like real wrestlers, as Tsarukyan fought Mokaev, who is a flyweight fighter, while Tsarukyan is a lightweight. In a recent video, “Borz” said:

“You don’t like real wrestlers; you only like influencers. Go back to Jake Paul gym, bro. Then you go wrestle with the small guys. The guy [Mokaev] was like 40 kilos.”

Khamzat Chimaev called out Arman Tsarukyan for his side quests

"You don't like real wrestlers, you only like influencers. Go back to Jake Paul gym bro.

Then you go wrestle with the small guys. The guy [Mokaev] was like 40 kilos."

(via @treigning_lab) https://t.co/zUaC3Y9btB pic.twitter.com/82osqPUc0q
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 7, 2026

The middleweight champion is training with the Armenian fighter for his upcoming fight against Sean Strickland. However, Tsarukyan is also aiming to fight for the title, and many believe he will face the winner of the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje fight. The lightweight star already has beef with Topuria, and fans are also pushing for this fight.

Arman Tsarukyan Warns Ilia Topuria Over Islam Makhachev Fight

Arman Tsarukyan has ramped up the trash talk toward Ilia Topuria as the White House card approaches. The Armenian fighter believes Topuria can move up and fight Islam Makhachev for the money and legacy, but he also warns “El Matador” how this move could end his career. In a recent video, the UFC lightweight star said:

“I think it’ll be smart for him to move up to face Islam and make a lot of money. If he wins, he becomes a legend in this sport. If he loses, he comes back down, and I beat him again, and the UFC cuts him.”

Arman Tsarukyan on Ilia Topuria potentially moving up

“I think it’ll be smart for him to move up to face Islam and make a lot of money. If he wins, he becomes a legend in this sport. If he loses, he comes back down and I beat him again and the UFC cuts him.” #MMA pic.twitter.com/yVv15Frn79
— The Fight Fanatic (@FightFanatic_) April 5, 2026

The UFC lightweight star mentioned that if Topuria loses against Makhachev and comes back down, he’ll beat him again. Meanwhile, the Spanish fighter is facing Justin Gaethje at the UFC White House card, and after that, fans are expecting a Tsarukyan vs. Topuria fight.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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