Arman Tsarukyan and his team were removed from a commercial flight due to violations of airline rules, including phone usage during takeoff and not stowing tray tables. The lightweight contender was traveling to a grappling tournament when the incident occurred. After being removed from the commercial flight, Tsarukyan switched to a private jet to ensure he could still compete. His match against Juraya Faber at RAF 08 remains scheduled and will take place in two days as planned. The post humorously notes this explains why Tsarukyan prefers private jets.
Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan and his team were booted from a commercial flight on April 17 after crew members cited rule violations that included using a phone during takeoff and failing to stow tray tables before departure.
Tsarukyan, ranked number one in the UFC lightweight division, was en route to a grappling tournament when the incident unfolded. Rather than miss the event, the 29-year-old Russian fighter arranged alternative travel on a private jet, arriving in time to compete as planned. His scheduled match against Juraya Faber at RAF 08 remains on track and is set to take place within two days of the incident.
The Armenia-born, Russia-representing fighter trains out of American Top Team and carries a professional record of 23 wins and 3 losses. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, Tsarukyan has built his reputation as one of the most well-rounded lightweights in the world, averaging 3.85 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy while also threatening with takedowns at a rate of 3.26 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, making any activity around him — even travel disruptions — a point of interest for the division
- His participation in a grappling tournament highlights his continued commitment to expanding his submission game, an area where he averages just 0.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes in MMA competition
- The private jet solution ensured his RAF 08 appearance was not affected, keeping his competitive schedule intact ahead of what figures to be a pivotal stretch in his UFC career
