Tsarukyan Names Drugs & Guns As Biggest Negatives Of America

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has detailed the positives and negatives of living in America. Tsarukyan, who was born to an Armenian family in Georgia and resides in Russia, has quickly established himself as one of the hottest prospects in the UFC. Since a debut loss to Islam Makhachev in 2019, the 25-year-old has won…

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UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has detailed the positives and negatives of living in America.

Tsarukyan, who was born to an Armenian family in Georgia and resides in Russia, has quickly established himself as one of the hottest prospects in the UFC. Since a debut loss to Islam Makhachev in 2019, the 25-year-old has won five straight, including victories over Matt Frevola, Christos Giagos, and Joel Álvarez.

After back-to-back appearances in Abu Dhabi during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tsarukyan’s last two Octagon outings have come in Las Vegas, Nevada. With that in mind, the Russian-Armenian fighter has had ample time to experience the culture in the US.

During a recent interview with the LA-based Olymp Fight Club, Tsarukyan named the money-making options available in America as the biggest positives of being in the aptly named ‘Land of Opportunity’.

“I love opportunities here in America. It offers great opportunities for earning money,” said Tsarukyan. “Another feature is people’s loyalty. No one cares about what you wear, they don’t pay attention actually.”

However, his take on the country wasn’t all positive. Discussing the negatives of being in the US, Tsarukyan pointed to the availability of drugs and lack of gun control as the biggest drawbacks.

“There are minuses, too. Everyone is in the same position. For example, if the rich did something, he will not only benefit but also will suffer, as the poor do. In other countries it is different,” Tsarukyan continued. “Downside is, of course, drugs, which is a big minus of it as drugs are available. What else then… buying and keeping guns at home. This is also dangerous.” (Translated by Olymp Fight Club)

Tsarukyan has remained in the US since his last UFC fight. He’s now awaiting his second bout of 2022 as he looks to continue his surge up the lightweight ladder.

In his last outing, Tsarukyan secured his second consecutive TKO stoppage in brutal fashion. After busting Álvarez open with some vicious elbows in the first round of their UFC Vegas 49 clash, the Russian-Armenian secured the finish in the second with an onslaught of blood-inducing blows.

What do you make of Arman Tsarukyan’s take on the positives and negatives of living in America?

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Tsarukyan Reveals Gamrot’s Manager Wants To Block Potential Fight

Rising UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan is hoping to face Mateusz Gamrot next, but says there’s one individual doing their best to stop it from happening. From Khamzat Chimaev post-UFC 267, which was also endorsed by Dana White, to newcomer Muhammad Mokaev prior to his recent fight announcement, the idea that ‘nobody wants to face’ certain…

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Rising UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan is hoping to face Mateusz Gamrot next, but says there’s one individual doing their best to stop it from happening.

From Khamzat Chimaev post-UFC 267, which was also endorsed by Dana White, to newcomer Muhammad Mokaev prior to his recent fight announcement, the idea that ‘nobody wants to face’ certain fighters has been a rising narrative in the promotion.

The latest lightweight incarnation of that has been Tsarukyan, who’s struggled to secure an opponent inside the top 10. And given the way that he brutalized and bloodied Joel Álvarez last time out, who can blame them?

With an elbow-tastic victory over the Spaniard at UFC Vegas 49 in February, Tsarukyan extended his Octagon win streak to five and cemented his spot just outside the 155-pound top 10.

But after a host more callouts of the #8-ranked Gregor Gillespie went unanswered, the Russian-Armenian’s hopes of fighting up the ladder have dwindled. With that in mind, he’s turned his name to another rising contender in Gamrot.

After acknowledging the Polish lightweight as “the only one who raised his hand” for a fight, Tsarukyan called on the UFC to make it happen. But despite Gamrot’s willingness, one man in the corner of “Gamer” isn’t so keen: his manager, American Top Team owner Dan Lambert.

During a recent appearance on The Schmozone podcast, Tsarukyan revealed the efforts of Gamrot’s manager to stop the bout from coming together, citing both men’s association with ATT and the little progress a victory would bring either man as Lambert’s reasons.

“We have one opponent, it’s Gamrot. But Gamrot’s manager, he doesn’t want to see that fight cause we are both like, (we) train at ATT,” revealed Tsarukyan. “And he said like, ‘It’s no point to get (that) fight now. You’re #11, he’s #12, and if you (beat) him, you get like, #10 or #11.’ He said, ‘I wanna see (you) fight in top five maybe.’

“We didn’t train together. But he trains there, I trained there before, too, you know? I have good relationship with them, and Dan Lambert, he’s manager, he’s owner at ATT, and he understood like, we are both good fighters and we are both gonna be champion. That’s why he thinks it’s not a good fight for us. But I know I’ll beat him and I just want to fight,” insisted Tsarukyan.

Nevertheless, it seems Lambert may well be overruled.

Tsarukyan Expects To Face Gamrot At June 25 UFC Fight Night

Despite the ATT owner’s preference for both men to face different names, it doesn’t seem like Tsarukyan will be backing down from his desire to challenge Gamrot. Reiterating his intention to share the Octagon with “Gamer,” the #11-ranked lightweight branded the matchup as “perfect.”

“I wanna do this fight because Gamrot wants to fight me, I want to fight with him, and he accepted my call(out),” asserted Tsarukyan. “I think it’s going to be a good fight. We are both wrestlers, and we (have) good win streaks. I think it’s perfect fight and good fight for me, too.”

Tsarukyan went on to reveal that matchmaker Sean Shelby is also keen on booking the bout. But ultimately, whether to face Gamrot or someone else, the Russian-Armenian says he’ll be making the walk to the cage on June 25.

“I think (the UFC will make it happen). Matchmaker (Sean Shelby) wants to see that fight, too. That’s why it’s probably gonna be Gamrot. But, anyway, he accept that fight three weeks ago, or four weeks ago, but no information (since). I just train, I don’t know. But my manager said, ‘Your fight is gonna be June 25,’ and to be ready that day. I’m gonna be ready that day and it doesn’t matter who is gonna be my opponent,” concluded Tsarukyan.

How do you think a fight between Arman Tsarukyan and Mateusz Gamrot would play out?

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Tsarukyan: 70% Of Russians Thought Ferguson Would Beat Khabib

UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan claims the majority of Russians picked Tony Ferguson to upend Khabib Nurmagomedov in the Octagon. Tsarukyan has been on a tear with five-straight wins in the UFC. He earned a brutal TKO finish over Joel Alvarez at UFC Vegas 49 to continue his climb up the lightweight rankings. While Tsarukyan has…

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UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan claims the majority of Russians picked Tony Ferguson to upend Khabib Nurmagomedov in the Octagon.

Tsarukyan has been on a tear with five-straight wins in the UFC. He earned a brutal TKO finish over Joel Alvarez at UFC Vegas 49 to continue his climb up the lightweight rankings.

While Tsarukyan has proven to be a real factor at 155 pounds, he has arguably yet to earn a signature big-name win on his record. His lone defeat came against Islam Makhachev in April 2019.

Arman Tsarukyan Says Tony Ferguson Has A Lot Of Support, But Can’t Beat Khabib

During a past media scrum, Tsarukyan gave his thoughts on the seemingly cursed Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov matchup. The two were once considered the best lightweights in the world and a very intriguing stylistic matchup.

Many believed that Ferguson had the tools to give Khabib trouble wherever the fight would go, including on the mat. And apparently, the majority of Russians thought so as well.

“I don’t think so,” Tsarukyan said when asked about Ferguson’s chances against Nurmagomedov. “But, you know, I live in Russia … UFC is I think number one sport. Everyone, like, watch UFC, and like 70% said Tony Ferguson was going to win—I don’t know why. Tony Ferguson really, like, he has a lot of fans in Russia.”

Ferguson and Nurmagomedov were supposed to fight on numerous occasions during their respective careers, but the bout constantly fell through. Nurmagomedov retired following his win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

Ferguson is looking to get back in the win column after losses to Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush. He hasn’t won since his finish doctor’s stoppage victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 238. He is currently scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 274.

Do you believe Arman Tsarukyan Do you think most Russians picked Tony Ferguson to beat Khabib?

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Tsarukyan Doubles Down On Gillespie Callouts: “He Is Scared Of Me”

UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has once again expressed his desire to share the Octagon with Gregor Gillespie, who he believes is “scared” to face him. If Tsarukyan wasn’t on your radar as one of the hottest prospects in the UFC before UFC Vegas 49, he certainly is now. After falling to a loss on promotional…

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UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has once again expressed his desire to share the Octagon with Gregor Gillespie, who he believes is “scared” to face him.

If Tsarukyan wasn’t on your radar as one of the hottest prospects in the UFC before UFC Vegas 49, he certainly is now. After falling to a loss on promotional debut to Islam Makhachev, the Armenian got back on track with three consecutive unanimous decision wins.

But now, Tsarukyan has returned to the finishing form that brought him 10 stoppages in his first 13 victories in professional MMA. After a first-round TKO victory over Christos Giagos last September, the 25-year-old hoped to impress even more in his first outing of 2022.

With some brutal elbows and a vicious second-round TKO against fellow young prospect Joel Álvarez, Tsarukyan did just that.

Now, having risen to #12 in the UFC lightweight rankings, Tsarukyan is looking ahead to his next challenge, with the goal being a place inside the divisional top 10. When discussing his next move post-fight, the two-time Performance of the Night winner had a familiar name on his lips.

Tsarukyan Sees Gillespie As Route To LW Top 10

Prior to his fight with Álvarez coming to fruition and after it became apparent a verbal feud with Dan Hooker wasn’t likely to reach the Octagon, Tsarukyan had his sights set on top-10 contender Gillespie.

With “The Gift” seemingly declining him as an opponent, Tsarukyan was forced to look elsewhere. But during his appearance at the UFC Vegas 49 post-fight press conference, the Armenian circled back to the decorated wrestler, calling him out and accusing the 34-year-old of being “scared.”

“You know, in our division, like, I wanna fight with top 10, but now everybody almost have fights, and just (Gregor) Gillespie doesn’t have fight. He is scared of me, you know? UFC offered me twice fights with him, and he doesn’t want fights. I don’t know what he wants, but I’d like fight with him because he’s number nine, it’s gonna be good fight, we both wrestlers. If I win him, it gets me close to title shot and top fighters.”

Tsarukyan previously made a Gillespie offer public. Last October, the 25-year-old took to Instagram to confirm he’d accepted an approach from the UFC to face “The Fisherman.” While he hadn’t answered at the time, the response evidently wasn’t the acceptance Tsarukyan was after.

Interestingly, Tsarukyan’s latest callout comes a few weeks after former UFC star Chael Sonnen claimed he’d been told Gillespie has a habit of rejecting fights.

While he didn’t possess evidence other than an apparent source, Tsarukyan’s failed attempts to make the matchup come together, as well as the veteran’s lengthy periods of inactivity, certainly supports Sonnen’s claims.

It remains to be seen whether the Armenian’s recent remarks will be met with a more positive response from the #9-ranked contender.

Would you like to see Arman Tsarukyan face Gregor Gillespie next?

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Arman Tsarukyan Batters Joel Alvarez For Bloody TKO Win – UFC Vegas 49 Highlights

Arman TsarukyanArman Tsarukyan passed one of the biggest tests of his career in flying colours at UFC Vegas 49. The Armenian dominated Joel Alvarez with his wrestling and ground and pound on route to a second-round TKO win. Alvarez was badly cut towards the end of round 1 and was not able to intelligently defend himself […]

Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan passed one of the biggest tests of his career in flying colours at UFC Vegas 49.

The Armenian dominated Joel Alvarez with his wrestling and ground and pound on route to a second-round TKO win.

Alvarez was badly cut towards the end of round 1 and was not able to intelligently defend himself for the rest of the fight.

Check out the highlights.

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Joel Alvarez Targeted For Feb. 26 Fight Night

Ranked lightweight prospects Arman Tsarukyan and Joel Alvarez are reportedly set to collide at a UFC Fight Night scheduled for February 26.

Per TASS MMA reporter Igor Lazorin, the pair will square off on a card expected to be headlined by another b…

Arman Tsarukyan, Joel Alvarez

Ranked lightweight prospects Arman Tsarukyan and Joel Alvarez are reportedly set to collide at a UFC Fight Night scheduled for February 26.

Per TASS MMA reporter Igor Lazorin, the pair will square off on a card expected to be headlined by another blockbuster clash in the 155-pound division. Top-five contenders Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush are set to meet for a title eliminator in the main event.

With a matchup between Ignacio Bahamondes and Rongzhu also slated for the date, February 26 is shaping up to be a real lightweight showcase.

#12-ranked Tsarukyan has built a winning streak that’s seen him surge towards the lightweight top 10. Since a promotional debut loss to Makhachev, the Armenian-Russian has won four straight. After decision triumphs over Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Davi Ramos, and Matt Frevola, the 25-year-old recorded his first finish on MMA’s biggest stage at UFC Vegas 37. Showing his improved standup skills, Tsarukyan finished Christos Giagos in the first round.

After a brief social media and interview feud with perennial contender Dan Hooker, many expected Tsarukyan to challenge “The Hangman” following their respective wins in September. Instead, the New Zealander fell short against Makhachev, and is now expected to return to featherweight. The #12-ranked contender also claimed he’d accepted a fight against Gregor Gillespie. With today’s news, it appears “The Gift” didn’t hold the same enthusiasm for the matchup.

#15-ranked Alvarez, meanwhile, burst into the rankings with a memorable victory over Thiago Moises earlier this month. Against the Brazilian, who headlined a card opposite Makhachev in the summer, the 28-year-old put his potential on full display with a dominant performance that saw him finish the formerly-ranked Moises with some brutal first-round elbows and punches.

Like Tsarukyan, Alvarez has also followed a debut loss with four consecutive victories. After a decision defeat to Damir Ismagulov, the Spaniard submitted Joseph Duffy, who boasts a win over Conor McGregor, and Alexander Yakovlev. His latest win ensured he matched Tsarukyan’s winning streak and set up a clash of rising prospects with his lightweight peer.

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The card is still in its early days, but below are the fights expected to take place on February 26:

Beneil Dariush vs. Islam Makhachev (Lightweight main event)

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Joel Alvarez (Lightweight)

Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Rongzhu (Lightweight)

Jinh Yu Frey vs. Hannah Goldy (Women’s strawweight)

Who do you think will have their hand raised in this one, Arman Tsarukyan or Joel Alvarez?

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