Arman Tsarukyan reveals "malice" when facing MMA legend: 'I wanted to hurt him'

Tsarukyan defeated Faber at the RAF. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/RAF

Still without a date to return to the most famous octagon in the world, Arman Tsarukyan continues to find reasons to attract attention. After the controversy created by throwing Urijah Faber to the ground during the wrestling match at RAF 8, last Saturday (18), the lightweight (up to 70,3 kg.) came to the public this Thursday (22) to reveal that the incident was completely intentional.

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According to the Armenian fighter, his familiarity with competing in an octagon made him forget that there wouldn't be a cage to stop the pair from continuing after the takedown attempt. However, he made it clear that his objective was to injure his opponent, who had allegedly provoked him.

“I forgot this was a tatami mat. I thought we were still in the cage and the fence was going to stop… I wanted to hurt him, to be honest. Because he was talking too much. (He was) texting: don’t mess with me. Because my fan already wanted to punch him. I stopped him,” he stated.

Arman Tsarukyan on pushing Urijah Faber off the mat: “I wanted to hurt him, to be honest” 👀🔥

Arman: “I forgot this is mat. I thought it's still we're in the cage and the fence is going to stop… I wanted to hurt him, to be honest. Because he was talking too much.”

Ariel:… pic.twitter.com/PW3YcKaaIR

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) April 22, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan is known for his difficult temperament.

Tsarukyan at a UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

Despite being one of the best fighters on the planet, factors beyond the octagon have hampered the Armenian's path to the title. After withdrawing from the main event of UFC 311 against Islam Makhachev with only two days' notice, Tsarukyan has been largely sidelined in decisions regarding the number one contender spot. Recently, Dana White justified these actions by stating that Arman would be a difficult figure to negotiate with.

Among the athlete's controversial episodes, highlights include an assault against a fan while walking to the octagon during his fight against Charles Oliveira ; a headbutt to Dan Hooker 's face during the ceremonial weigh-in for UFC Qatar; and a brawl against Georgio Poullas at RAF 6.

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