Arman Tsarukyan was removed from a commercial airline flight due to alleged violations of airline rules, including using a phone during takeoff and having a tray table down. He was traveling to his next wrestling tournament when the incident occurred. After being removed with his team, Tsarukyan switched to a private jet to continue his journey. His scheduled match against Juraja Faber at RAF 08 remains intact and will proceed as planned the day after tomorrow. The post humorously suggests this explains why Tsarukyan prefers private jets, where such restrictions don't apply.
Arman Tsarukyan's travel plans hit an unexpected snag ahead of his upcoming RAF 08 appearance, but the lightweight contender confirmed his bout against Juraja Faber will go ahead as scheduled in two days.
Tsarukyan was removed from a commercial flight along with his team after he allegedly violated airline rules during the journey to a wrestling tournament, including using his phone during takeoff and leaving his tray table down. Rather than let the disruption derail his plans, the 29-year-old Russian switched to a private jet and continued on his way. His camp noted, with some humor, that the incident goes a long way toward explaining his preference for private aviation, where such restrictions are considerably more relaxed.
The ranked number-one lightweight contender out of American Top Team, Tsarukyan carries a record of 23-3-0 and has established himself as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the 155-pound division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he averages 3.85 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy, while also posing a constant grappling threat with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight in the world, making any appearance a high-profile event regardless of the organization
- The travel disruption raised brief questions about whether the Faber bout at RAF 08 might be affected, but both sides have confirmed it proceeds as planned
- His wrestling credentials are central to the matchup, making his participation in a pre-fight tournament notable preparation
The bout with Juraja Faber at RAF 08 remains fully intact, with Tsarukyan back on course after what turned into little more than a brief inconvenience on the road.
