Arman Tsarukyan claims that boxer Ryan Garcia has not paid him $40,000 after losing a bet to him during a stream. According to Tsarukyan, Garcia initially said he would count the money and bring it, then promised to transfer it to his account and gave his word as a man. Five days have passed and Garcia has not contacted Tsarukyan to ask for his card number or made the payment. Tsarukyan mentioned he is now planning to go to the market with Khamzat Chimaev and Garcia to collect the debt. The statement was made in an interview with Adam Zubairaev.
Arman Tsarukyan is publicly calling out boxer Ryan Garcia for failing to pay a $40,000 bet following a live stream, and the UFC lightweight contender says five days have now passed without any contact from Garcia.
Tsarukyan, 29, is the No. 1-ranked lightweight in the UFC, carrying a 23-3 record into 2026 under the American Top Team banner. The Russian fighter is one of the most active strikers in his division, landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute, and also brings consistent wrestling pressure with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. He told interviewer Adam Zubairaev that Garcia promised on two separate occasions to settle the debt — first saying he would count the cash and deliver it in person, then later pledging to transfer the funds electronically and giving his word as a man. Neither payment materialized, and Garcia has not reached out to request Tsarukyan's account details.
Adding an unmistakable edge to the story, Tsarukyan mentioned that he is now planning a trip to the market alongside No. 1-ranked middleweight Khamzat Chimaev to collect what he is owed. Chimaev, the 32-year-old UAE-based fighter known as "Borz," holds a 15-1 record and is ranked No. 10 pound-for-pound in the UFC. He lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 60 percent accuracy and averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the more physically imposing figures anyone would want accompanying them on a debt-collection errand.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, so anything affecting his focus outside the cage draws attention inside it
- The involvement of a second high-profile UFC star in Chimaev amplifies the story well beyond a routine celebrity dispute
- Garcia has not publicly responded, leaving Tsarukyan's account as the only version of events on record
