Arman Tsarukyan is one of the top pound-for-pound stars in the sport, but the top lightweight contender is seemingly not fighting for money
Arman Tsarukyan makes his highly-anticipated return to the cage this weekend(Image: Zuffa LLC)
While many fighters fight to provide and take care of their families, Arman Tsarukyan could retire tomorrow and be set for life.
Over the years, the top lightweight contender has not shied away from showing off his luxurious lifestyle. The 29-year-old tends to go viral online for his sumptuous way of living, which includes some nice get aways and eating black caviar.
According to the man himself, he has his father to thank for his lavish position in the world. Tsarukyan’s old man, Nairi – a wealthy real-estate entrepreneur – grafted hard to deliver a comfortable life for his son. Various reports circulating online state that due to Tsarukyan Sr’s construction empire, the family is worth well over £100million.
The Armenian fighter was born in Georgia, but the family eventually moved to Jabarovsk, a Russian city not far from the Chinese border. From a young age, Tsarukyan worked for his father, but due to the high demands, it was evident the lightweight superstar wanted to pursue a career in sports.
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“I used to work three months with him, and I said, ‘No way I can be here anymore. I want to be in a sport.’ That’s so hard job,” he recalled in a chat with Ariel Helwani. “I grew up with sport and always eat clean, go to bed right time, but in the business, I was three months there and I had not good schedule, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Better to be in the sport than in the big business.”
When quizzed about his father’s rich wealth, Tsarukyan remained tight-lipped, but seemingly hinted that his dad’s construction ventures have been successful. Expensive cars, private-jet trips and resort getaways often fill the fighter’s social media, as well as training footage, of course.
The 29-year-old started in hockey, before dedicating his life to mixed martial arts. Tsarukyan trained in sambo, wrestling and eventually grappling. At the age of 18, he made his professional MMA debut, and was quick to make his presence known across the regional scene in Russia.
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In 2019, the Armenian made his UFC debut on short notice against former lightweight king, Islam Makhachev. Despite showing promising signs, Tsarukyan suffered a defeat on points. He has since racked up significant wins against the likes of Joel Alvarez, Damir Ismagulov, Joaquim Silva, Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira.
Even though he is comfortable in terms of the financial side of things, the top UFC fighter has previously suggested that some of the figures being floated around may be a little bit over-the-top. “People jealous you know, that I have money,” he said. “I don’t have too much money, but I can live, I can do whatever I want in this life. I can buy whatever I want, but I cannot buy private jet. I cannot buy private yacht.”
He added: “No, it’s not expensive in Russia. I ate two times more than here. I got the second video as well and I paid like $250 for that whole thing and I had two friends eating too. I thought it’s going to be around $2000, but maybe they did this discount to me, I don’t know.”
Tsarukyan takes on Dan Hooker in Qatar on Saturday night(Image: Zuffa LLC)
Ahead of his rematch with Makhachev earlier this year, the 29-year-old stunned fans by claiming he would be ‘done with the sport’ if he defeated the Russian. Thankfully, though, he clarified his comments, insisting that he would turn his attention to big money fights in a bid to add to his hefty bank balance.
“My goal is to get the belt and then from there, I’m just gonna think about business because what I wanted, is to be a world champion right now,” Tsarukyan said. “I just focus on Islam and when I win the title (I’m done with) the sport, I’m gonna start just business (fights) and I’m gonna pick (fights) against who the UFC pays me more, I’m gonna fight,” he continued.
“It’s gonna be business things, not just the sport. Right now it’s legacy to be a champion after that, then business, after this fight when I’m champion I’m just gonna think about money. After I’ve won the title, I would like to fight against Oliveira. This is the only guy that deserves to fight for the title, and he is the most dangerous guy. I feel like right now, it’s me, Islam, and Oliveira, the three of us are the best fighters right now… People say it was a close fight and this and that, I just want to go and crush him.”
However, his fight with Makhachev failed to come to fruition after he pulled out 24 hours before the contest due to injury. The 29-year-old is expected to return to action on Saturday night against lightweight danger-man, Dan Hooker. A win in Qatar for the Armenian could be enough to earn him the next shot at the 155lb gold belt next year.
When is the next UFC fight?
Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker are set to clash at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Qatar on Saturday, November 22. The preliminary bouts are anticipated to begin at approximately 3pm GMT (10am ET / 7am PT / 9am CT). The main card is due to commence at 6pm GMT (1pm ET / 11am PT / 12pm CT).
In the headline bout, Hooker will enter the octagon first at roughly 9pm GMT (4pm ET / 2pm PT 3pm CT) with Tsarukyan following shortly afterwards. Whilst the fight shouldn’t begin any later than this time, it could start earlier if the undercard concludes ahead of schedule. British viewers will be able to watch all the action live on TNT Sports.
