Arman Tsarukyan and his team were removed from a commercial airline flight due to violations of airline regulations. Team members reportedly used their phones during takeoff and failed to stow their tray tables as required. Following the removal, Tsarukyan arranged for a private jet to continue his travel to the upcoming RAF 08 event. Despite the travel disruption, his scheduled bout against Juraji Faber remains confirmed and will take place as planned in two days. The incident provides context for why Tsarukyan typically prefers private aviation over commercial flights.
Arman Tsarukyan and his team were booted from a commercial flight ahead of RAF 08, forcing the lightweight contender to arrange private air travel to reach the event on time.
The removal stemmed from conduct violations during takeoff, with team members reportedly using their phones and failing to stow tray tables as required. Despite the disruption, Tsarukyan's bout at RAF 08, scheduled for two days from the incident, remains confirmed and on track. The episode also sheds light on why the 29-year-old Russian typically opts for private aviation when traveling to fights.
Tsarukyan, who fights out of American Top Team, enters the bout as the number one ranked lightweight in the world carrying a record of 23-3-0. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, the orthodox fighter known as "Ahalkalakets" has built his reputation on a well-rounded and aggressive game. He lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, and his wrestling is equally dangerous, averaging 3.26 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight, making any disruption to his fight camp preparation worth noting
- The travel incident introduces a logistical wrinkle just two days before the bout, though his team has confirmed the fight proceeds as planned
- His opponent Juraji Faber has not been confirmed in the AgentMMA database, leaving the full divisional stakes of the matchup unclear pending further information
