UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan lunged at Dillon Danis during an RAF news conference Thursday after Danis mocked Tsarukyan's teammate Khamzat Chimaev.
Tsarukyan (24-3) is presumably next in line for a 155-pound title shot in the UFC but has been active all year in freestyle wrestling. He is scheduled to face Danis in an RAF crossover title fight Friday at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
During the news conference, Danis wore a T-shirt with the text "Khamzat is my b----," referring to the former UFC middleweight champion.
As Danis stood to show off his shirt to the media, Tsarukyan, 30, got up from his seat and attempted to strike him in the head. RAF security immediately intervened and prevented a bigger altercation.
A decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Danis is a well-known friend and grappling coach of UFC star Conor McGregor. Danis competed against Chimaev in a freestyle wrestling match at RAF 10 in June in St. Louis. Chimaev won via pinfall in the opening minute, but Danis attempted to lock him in a guillotine as the referee intervened. Chimaev kicked Danis in response to the illegal maneuver, sparking a brawl between the two athletes' teams.
Chimaev is scheduled to wrestle former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in the co-main event of RAF 14 and was in attendance at Thursday's news conference. In an interview with ESPN on Wednesday, Chimaev acknowledged animosity between the team and Danis and said, "Whatever s---'s happening, we're ready."
