Arman Tsarukyan entered the UFC with a very different goal than he aims for today: to achieve the coveted 'verification' of his Instagram account. At 19, the Armenian admitted that his greatest desire was simply to be recognized on the social network, something he believed was only possible with the visibility provided by the UFC.
The athlete, who began his MMA career in 2015, entered the UFC in 2019 with a mindset more focused on fame than on winning titles. At that time, his interest in the sport was more a way to achieve social status than the true passion that would emerge over time.
See too
“When I was 19, I had already fought three or four times, I told my friend that I just wanted to get to the UFC so that I could have my Instagram account verified and the UFC uniform,” Tsarukyan revealed in an interview with ESPN.
Over the years, Tsarukyan discovered his true calling. Recognition of his talent and victories, including against big names like Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira , propelled him further, both inside and outside the octagon. Today, at 28 years old and ranked number one in his weight class, Tsarukyan is aiming for what once seemed distant: the UFC championship belt.
“I kept winning fights and people started telling me that I was a good fighter, that I could make it to the UFC. So I started believing in myself, training hard, I kept winning fights and I got into the UFC,” he concluded.
Now, at 28 years old and with a four-fight winning streak, Tsarukyan tops the lightweight rankings and positions himself as one of the biggest contenders for the division's belt. With 22 wins and three losses, he has defeated big names like Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira , and currently holds the number one position in the category's ranking. He faces Islam Makhachev at UFC 311.
Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.
You need to log in to comment.