Arman Tsarukyan was removed from a commercial airline flight along with his team due to violations of airline rules, including phone use during takeoff and an open tray table. The incident occurred while Tsarukyan was traveling to his next grappling tournament appearance. He was forced to switch to a private jet to ensure he would make the event on time. His match against Juraja Faber at RAF 08 remains scheduled and will take place as planned in two days. The disruption did not prevent Tsarukyan from reaching his destination and keeping his commitment to compete.
Arman Tsarukyan's travel plans hit an unexpected snag ahead of his RAF 08 grappling appearance, after the lightweight contender and his team were removed from a commercial flight for breaching airline rules — specifically, using a phone during takeoff and leaving a tray table open. To avoid missing the event, Tsarukyan arranged a private jet and arrived in time to keep his commitment. His scheduled match against Juraja Faber at RAF 08 remains on and will proceed as planned.
Tsarukyan, 29, holds a 23-3-0 professional record and sits at number one in the UFC lightweight division, making him one of the most prominent fighters in the 155-pound weight class. The Russian-born fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and competes out of an orthodox stance. Inside the cage he is a well-rounded threat, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while also mixing in a strong wrestling game at 3.26 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, so any disruption to his schedule or health carries divisional significance.
- His ability to rebook and arrive on time means the RAF 08 card avoids a late withdrawal from one of its marquee names.
- The grappling format gives fans a rare look at his submission and wrestling skills outside the UFC environment, with submission attempts averaging just 0.1 per 15 minutes in MMA suggesting he leans on control rather than finishing on the mat.
