Arman Tsarukyan Is Looking To Be The UFC’s Newest Problem Child

Highlights

• UFC stars like Tsarukyan must avoid controversy to maintain their brand image and secure their future in the sport.
• Tsarukyan faces backlash for aggressive actions at UFC 300, showcasing that restraint is crucial for his career progression.
• Comparisons to successful fighters like Nurmagomedov and Makhachev highlight the importance of humility and skill over manufactured persona.

When it comes to the term ‘problem child,’ the UFC has quite a few. Nate Diaz espoused that gangster vibe in the past. So did Jorge Masvidal. As for the current roster, athletes like Conor McGregor, Jon Jones and Colby Covington pop to mind.

It’s due to these guys not being able to stay out of trouble outside the cage. They tend to do and say the wrong things, which is why fans always tune into their sanctioned interviews. Or the times when they go off on the mic when least expected, and in the most offensive way. Now, Arman Tsarukyan seems like he is going to be the next in this list of hot-headed figures, but to his own detriment.

Arman Tsarukyan Punched A Fan At UFC 300

Tsarukyan Overstepped A Major Boundary – Literally

Tsarukyan defeated Charles Oliveira by split decision at UFC 300. It enshrined him as the next to face Islam Makhachev, although he is taking time off to heal from injuries. However, the spotlight fell on his walk to the octagon where Tsarukyan attempted to punch a fan. He then rushed another, leaving the broadcast team wondering what was said.

In subsequent interviews, Tsarukyan pointed out it was just the usual trash talk. UFC President and CEO, Dana White, admitted they may get sued for it. One of the fans in question, though, just wanted UFC 303 tickets. However, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) is withholding the Armenian’s purse for this.

They are also holding Diego Lopes’ pay as him jumping the cage is a no-no. In such a strict zone, one has to obey the rules. It’s bad PR for the company and something Las Vegas doesn’t want to be known for. Ergo why boxing has become clean-cut in that area.

Arman Tsarukyan Needs to Learn Restraint

Tsarukyan Cannot Afford To Hurt His Or The UFC’s Brand

Now, MMA fans can be toxic online and offline. The UFC pressers are a prime example. In the lead-up to this, many fans showed Tsarukyan a ton of hate on the mic. But as the commentators said, fighters have to behave themselves. This lack of control can sully the sport.

The UFC already had a bad image from McGregor’s team attacking Khabib Nurmagomedov’s bus years back, and from the Dagestani team starting a melee once the “Eagle” beat “Mystic Mac” at UFC 229.

Tsarukyan himself downplayed his infraction on shows and podcasts like The MMA Hour. He admits that where he comes from, that sort of bullying is met with violence. But with corporate sponsors on board, a broadcast partner like ESPN, and White trying to keep the sanctity intact with TV rights up for bid soon, these actions are a liability.

White voiced the same opinion when Sean Strickland attacked Dricus du Plessis in the crowd at UFC 296 before their fight at UFC 297. Protecting the brand comes first. Fighter skirmishes make for viral content, but attacking a paying patron in the crowd is a step too far. The authorities are within their right to get involved, levy fines, and in the worst case, pull licenses.

Imagine if innocent kids get hurt in the scramble. That could result in the company being banned from producing more shows, as unlikely as that will be due to the money Las Vegas makes off UFC events. Still, it’s a possibility.

Arman Tsarukyan Made Mistakes With Kayla Harrison & Bobby Green

Tsarukyan Exuded Toxic Masculinity

• Tsarukyan has 1.3 million followers on Instagram.
• Tsarukyan has 29,700 followers on X.

Tsarukyan already had a big faux pas in a presser to promote UFC 300. When a fan asked him if he would perform derogatory actions on fellow American Top Team teammate, Kayla Harrison, he responded in his native tongue. Let’s just say, it wasn’t a good response. Harrison later addressed this and admitted Tsarukyan apologized.

The heat of the moment, the pressure, and the crowd booing can get to fighters, fluster them, and have them make impulsive responses. But Tsarukyan should have been cautious, given Harrison’s past when her coach sexually abused her. It’s been well-documented in her journey, which led to trauma, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Even if he didn’t know, he should have dismissed that fan rather than entertain a misogynistic comment and then try to retract his statement. It’s not a good look in an age where toxic masculinity is running rampant, and fighters like Covington and Strickland constantly disrespect female fighters.

Last but not least, Tsarukyan had a bust-up when he took his crew to assault Bobby Green before 2023’s UFC Austin. Ganging up on someone like that is cowardice. It got worse when he joked how the late stoppage where Jalin Turner kept punching an unconscious Green was funny. That isn’t role model and championship material, at all. For someone who wants to carry himself about like the Dagestani camp, this doesn’t align.

Has Arman Tsarukyan Been Handling UFC Superstardom Well?

Tsarukyan’s Downfall Could Be Potential Anger Issues

• Tsarukyan has a 22-3 overall MMA record.
• His UFC record is 9-2.
• He lost his debut via decision by taking a short notice fight against Makhachev in 2019.
• He later lost a decision to Mateusz Gamrot in 2022.

Tsarukyan seems like he wants to be a heel. But it has to be organic, not manufactured. Nurmagomedov and Makhachev, for example, fought crowd-favorites, got booed, but stuck to their honorable code. They know their skills did the talking, which is why they won the lightweight titles. Their broken English, arrogance, and cheeky banter have won over fans in the long run.

Tsarukyan has their energy and should rely on it. He has superstar potential due to his in-cage talent, but he hasn’t been handling it well. He does have sassy flashes of brilliance, as seen with him insulting Michael Chandler and letting him know he won’t take advice from someone with so many losses on their record. That’s what he should stick to: facts and not conjecture.

Else, he’d feel forced and fake the way Ian Garry and Covington do at times. Even McGregor has tired fans out by the way he sometimes chases clout and toes the line between hero and villain. When he takes shots in doses — per Jeremy Stephens — he shines. That’s the kind of anti-hero that goes viral. Nurmagomedov, himself, professed that he made an error by giving into his rage. It disrespected his nation, the company, his family and the sport.

Ultimately, Tsarukyan feels like a nice guy who tries too hard. But once he stays away from that sort of drama, with his record, he will get his shot and flowers without having to sink to the depraved levels that he did recently. Not every fan or tweet deserves a response — something a confident Tsarukyan must accept moving forward. Only then will he become what Nurmagomedov and Makhachev tout him to be: a future champ.