Arman Tsarukyan was ejected from a flight in the United States due to his training partners' behavior. His teammates were using their phones and failed to put their tray tables up during takeoff, which violated airline safety regulations. The incident resulted in Tsarukyan and his group being removed from the aircraft. Details about whether they were able to take another flight or how the situation was ultimately resolved were not provided in the report.
Arman Tsarukyan found himself grounded in the United States on April 17 after he and his training group were removed from a commercial flight when his teammates failed to comply with basic airline safety regulations during takeoff.
According to the report, the incident was triggered by members of Tsarukyan's entourage using their phones and neglecting to raise their tray tables as required before departure. The violations led airline staff to remove the entire group from the aircraft. How the situation was resolved afterward, including whether they secured seats on a later flight, was not reported.
Tsarukyan, 29, represents Russia and trains out of American Top Team. The orthodox-stance lightweight holds a professional record of 23 wins and 3 losses and is currently ranked number one in the UFC's 155-pound division, positioning him as the most prominent contender in one of the promotion's deepest weight classes. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he is a well-rounded fighter who lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while also averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's status as the top-ranked lightweight means any disruption to his travel or training schedule carries real divisional weight.
- The incident draws attention to conduct standards for athlete entourages, a recurring issue in professional combat sports travel.
- No competitive or contractual consequences have been reported as a result of the removal.
