Arman Tsarukyan and his team were removed from a commercial flight due to violations of airline regulations, specifically using phones during takeoff and not stowing tray tables properly. The incident occurred as Tsarukyan was traveling to compete at a wrestling tournament. He was forced to book a private jet to continue his journey and ensure he arrives for his scheduled match. Despite the travel disruption, his bout against Jurai Faber at RAF 08 remains confirmed and will proceed as planned in two days. The post humorously suggests this explains why Tsarukyan prefers private jets for travel.
Arman Tsarukyan's trip to his next competition hit an unexpected snag after he and his team were removed from a commercial flight for breaching airline regulations, forcing the lightweight contender to charter a private jet to reach his destination in time.
According to the report, the infractions involved using phones during takeoff and failing to stow tray tables correctly — routine rules that resulted in the entire traveling party being offloaded before departure. With the clock ticking, Tsarukyan booked a private aircraft to ensure he would arrive with enough time ahead of his scheduled bout at RAF 08, which takes place in two days. His fight against Jurai Faber at the event remains confirmed and will proceed as planned.
Tsarukyan, 29, is ranked number one in the lightweight division and carries a record of 23-3-0. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He is one of the busiest and most accurate strikers in the division, landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes — a blend of output that makes him a genuine threat in multiple areas.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, making any disruption to his preparation headline news within the division
- The travel incident raised questions about his readiness, though his camp confirmed the RAF 08 bout is proceeding on schedule
- His wrestling background makes the tournament appearance consistent with his ongoing competitive focus outside the UFC
- A private jet solution means the disruption appears to have been resolved without affecting his fight timeline
