Arman Tsarukyan and two of his friends were removed from an American Airlines flight after he was allegedly looking at his phone during takeoff and someone on his team opened a tray table, violating airline rules. Tsarukyan was traveling to Philadelphia for his scheduled bout at RAF 08 this Saturday. Rather than miss the event, the fighter quickly arranged a private jet and successfully made it to the fight location. His match against Juraj Faber at RAF 08 remains on schedule and will proceed as planned.
Arman Tsarukyan's travel plans to Philadelphia hit an unexpected snag ahead of his appearance at RAF 08 this Saturday, after he and two companions were removed from an American Airlines flight. According to reports, Tsarukyan was allegedly using his phone during takeoff while a member of his party also opened a tray table, both violations of airline policy that prompted the removal. Rather than let the incident derail his fight week, Tsarukyan quickly secured a private jet and successfully reached the event location in time for the bout to proceed as scheduled.
The 29-year-old Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, enters the event carrying a 23-3-0 professional record and currently holds the number one ranking in the UFC lightweight division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, Tsarukyan is a technically well-rounded competitor who lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, while also generating consistent pressure on the ground with 3.26 takedown attempts per 15 minutes. His opponent at RAF 08 is Juraj Faber.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight in the world, making any of his appearances outside the UFC a notable event on the combat sports calendar
- The last-minute travel scramble raised questions about whether the fight would proceed, but both fighters remain confirmed for Saturday
- Tsarukyan's well-rounded skill set — above-average striking volume, solid takedown activity, and high accuracy — makes the stylistic matchup against Faber an intriguing one regardless of the chaotic lead-up
