Arman Tsarukyan, a leading contender in the UFC’s lightweight division, shared his perspective on what fuels the organization’s most significant events. Speaking on Patrick Bet-David’s podcast, Tsarukyan cited historical rivalries as evidence that UFC management favors pre-fight narratives over in-cage action.
Arman Tsarukyan States: UFC Values Drama, Not Just Fights
Tsarukyan believes that the UFC benefits greatly from the drama surrounding its fighters. He pointed to figures like Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Nate Diaz, suggesting that their appeal stems from their trash talk and the overall spectacle, not solely from their fighting prowess. He highlighted the viral bus incident involving McGregor and Nurmagomedov as a key factor that propelled their fight to become the biggest in UFC history. Tsarukyan reiterated that the sport’s growth is significantly tied to these dramatic elements, rather than just the fights themselves.
He emphasized that the UFC actively embraces these high-tension situations. According to Tsarukyan, the sport’s expansion is a direct result of such moments, with Nate Diaz serving as another example of a fighter who built a loyal following through his willingness to engage in confrontations, from press conferences to real-life altercations, which consistently kept him in the spotlight.
Tsarukyan connected this to the typical fight week proceedings, explaining that trash talk during press conferences and weigh-ins captures attention before the actual bout. He noted that studies on UFC events support his view, indicating a correlation between increased profanity in fighter interactions and higher pay-per-view sales and social media engagement. He posited that rivalries are instrumental in converting casual viewers into paying customers, referencing McGregor’s controversial comments about Nurmagomedov’s religion, family, and team during their initial press conference.
Tsarukyan’s own career trajectory aligns with this pattern. He withdrew from a title bout against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 just a day before weigh-ins. He also faced disciplinary action, including a $25,000 fine and a nine-month suspension, for slapping a fan during his walkout at UFC 300 in 2024. Additionally, he headbutted Dan Hooker during a face-off prior to their UFC Qatar main event last November. Veteran commentator Daniel Cormier recently cautioned him that such actions could jeopardize his chances at title shots, following Tsarukyan’s incident of dragging Urijah Faber off-stage during a recent wrestling match.
Despite these incidents, Tsarukyan sees no negative consequences for himself. He recently secured a victory over Faber in a Real American Freestyle match and continues to stay active in grappling while awaiting his next UFC opportunity. He observed that the UFC overlooked him for interim lightweight titles, opting instead for Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, with Dana White citing his past conduct. Tsarukyan maintains that the drama he generates ultimately benefits him, much like the McGregor bus incident made UFC 229 a must-watch event.
The public’s reception to Tsarukyan’s viewpoint is divided. Some viewers exclusively follow the fights and disregard the accompanying drama. Others, however, credit these promotional antics with contributing to MMA’s growing mainstream appeal.
