Arman Tsarukyan revealed that UFC recently sent him an unexpected bonus payment of $42,000. Tsarukyan stated he didn't understand what the payment was for initially, as UFC typically doesn't explain such bonuses. He speculated it might be related to his social media activity or content. Tsarukyan jokingly mentioned he didn't ask for clarification because his manager might demand a percentage of the unexpected money. The post also mentions Sean Strickland made comments about carrying weapons and referenced Francis Ngannou, and notes that Shamil Gaziev currently weighs around 140kg despite competing at 120kg.
Arman Tsarukyan recently disclosed that the UFC sent him an unexpected bonus payment of $42,000, though the organization provided no explanation for what the money was for.
Tsarukyan, ranked first in the UFC lightweight division at just 29 years old, said he was initially confused by the payment. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team and carries a 23-3 record, speculated the bonus may have been tied to his social media presence or content output. In a candid admission, he joked that he deliberately avoided asking the UFC for clarification — because doing so might have tipped off his manager, who could then claim a percentage of the unannounced windfall.
Why it matters
- Unprompted bonus payments from the UFC are rare and seldom explained publicly, making Tsarukyan's disclosure an unusual glimpse behind the scenes of fighter compensation.
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, so anything that keeps him visible and engaged with fans carries broader divisional relevance.
- The post also surfaced comments from middleweight champion Sean Strickland, the 35-year-old American known for outspoken public statements, who made remarks referencing weapons and former heavyweight titleholder Francis Ngannou.
- Separately, heavyweight Shamil Gaziev, ranked eleventh at 193 cm and competing at the sport's 120 kg limit, was noted to currently be walking around at approximately 140 kg — a significant gap between his competition and off-camp weight.
