Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria continue fuelling one of the UFC’s most heated rivalries currently.
The pair regularly exchange digs through social media and interviews, with tensions between both lightweight stars continuing to grow ahead of possible future title implications.
‘Ahalkalakets’ added another chapter to that story on Wednesday after aiming a fresh jab at Topuria during a livestream appearance alongside influencer Nina Drama.
Arman Tsarukyan mocks Ilia Topuria over Instagram followers
Tsarukyan jokingly accused Nina of buying Instagram bots during the livestream before the conversation unexpectedly shifted towards Topuria.
“Look at me. I don’t bot. I don’t bot,” the influencer replied while defending the authenticity of her social media following during the exchange.
“Why? Because you’re broke? Because you’re not Ilia Topuria?” Tsarukyan answered while laughing.
Topuria currently possesses more than 14 million Instagram followers as one of the UFC’s biggest global stars, while Tsarukyan remains around nine million followers behind the Spanish-Georgian champion.
That difference further highlights how both fighters currently occupy different levels of mainstream popularity despite consistently fuelling their rivalry from both sides.
Arman Tsarukyan still hopes to fight Ilia Topuria next
Tsarukyan remains focused on securing a future showdown against Topuria if he defeats Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 next month.
However, the lightweight contender is far from guaranteed to become the Spaniard’s next opponent after the White House card.
Charles Oliveira continues pushing for another title opportunity and remains one of the strongest options available for the UFC lightweight championship picture.
Topuria also repeatedly expressed his desire to move divisions and challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title in the near future.
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