Arman Tsarukyan and two friends were removed from an American Airlines flight for allegedly looking at a phone during takeoff and having a tray table open. Tsarukyan was traveling to Philadelphia for a Saturday wrestling match at RAF. Rather than miss his bout, he quickly arranged a private jet and successfully reached the event location. He is scheduled to face Juraya Faber at RAF08. The incident highlights the strict enforcement of airline safety regulations even for high-profile athletes.
Arman Tsarukyan's travel plans hit an unexpected snag ahead of a wrestling appearance when he and two companions were removed from an American Airlines flight for allegedly using a phone during takeoff and having a tray table open. Rather than accept the delay, the lightweight contender quickly arranged a private jet and made it to Philadelphia in time for his scheduled bout at RAF08 against Juraya Faber on Saturday.
Tsarukyan, known by the nickname Ahalkalakets, enters the weekend in sharp form by any measure. The 29-year-old Russian trains out of American Top Team and currently holds the number one ranking in the UFC lightweight division with a professional record of 23-3-0. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he fights out of an orthodox stance and brings a well-rounded game to every outing. He averages 3.85 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy, and his wrestling credentials are equally impressive, posting 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, meaning any physical setback or missed event carries real professional weight.
- His decision to charter a private jet rather than withdraw underlines how seriously he is taking his commitments outside the octagon heading into what figures to be a pivotal period in his career.
- The episode is a reminder that airline safety rules apply uniformly, regardless of a passenger's public profile or competition schedule.
The airline removal was resolved without any reported injury or further disruption, and Tsarukyan arrived at the venue to compete as planned.
