Arman Tsarukyan and two members of his team were removed from an American Airlines flight for alleged violations of airline rules. According to reports, he was looking at his phone during takeoff and someone from his team had their tray table open. Tsarukyan was traveling to Philadelphia for his upcoming bout at RAF 08 on Saturday. Rather than miss the event, the lightweight contender chartered a private jet and successfully made it to the fight destination. The incident highlights the strict enforcement of in-flight safety rules by commercial airlines.
The road to Philadelphia was anything but smooth for Arman Tsarukyan. The top-ranked UFC lightweight contender and two members of his team were removed from an American Airlines flight ahead of his scheduled bout at RAF 08 on Saturday, after crew members cited alleged violations of in-flight safety rules. Reports indicate Tsarukyan was using his phone during takeoff while a teammate had a tray table open at the time.
Rather than let the disruption derail his fight week, Tsarukyan acted quickly and chartered a private jet, successfully reaching Philadelphia in time for the event.
Tsarukyan, 29, fights out of American Top Team and holds a professional record of 23-3. The Russian-born fighter sits at number one in the lightweight division, making him one of the most prominent contenders in the 155-pound weight class. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he brings a well-rounded offensive game to the cage, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while also threatening consistently on the ground with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's number-one ranking in the lightweight division means any disruption to his participation carries significant divisional implications.
- The incident created genuine uncertainty around his ability to make it to the event, though he ultimately resolved the situation by securing private travel.
- His ability to navigate the travel chaos without apparent injury or major delay suggests his preparation for Saturday's bout remains largely intact.
