LOS ANGELES -- Arman Tsarukyan's return to Los Angeles reads like a Hollywood screenplay. He lost the trust of UFC brass and fans after pulling out one day before his lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev in January 2025. It should have imploded his career.
Instead, he's back in Tinseltown as a much bigger star competing at UFC 331. Tsarukyan has become undeniably valuable to the promotion, even if UFC CEO and president Dana White has reservations about the loose cannon. His time in the UFC doghouse became an unlikely launching pad.
He redirected his time and energy to outside ventures: collaborating with popular streamers and competing in freestyle wrestling, where his post-fight antics attracted even more attention. He not only grew his profile, but also rallied more support for his legitimate title aspirations. "My friend helped me and taught me how.
I like it, and now I'm doing it with myself," Tsarukyan told CBS Sports. "I stream with Nina [Drama] and N3on. It's easy and helps me grow." red event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription!
Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year! Tsarukyan solved one part of the problem. Fans want to see him fight for a title again.
Now he must make sure someone else doesn't take his place. Tsarukyan (No. 2) fights Mauricio Ruffy (No. 7) on Saturday. It's an enormous gamble for a top contender.
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