Arman Tsarukyan disclosed that the UFC recently sent him an unexpected bonus payment of $42,000, and he was unsure of the reason for the extra compensation. The lightweight contender stated the UFC typically does not explain such bonuses and speculated it might be related to his social media activity. Tsarukyan joked that he did not ask for clarification because his manager might demand a percentage of the unexpected windfall. The payment represents one of several extra bonuses the UFC has sent him over time. Regarding other news, Paddy Pimblett vs Renato Moicano has been officially announced for UFC 329 on July 11. Additionally, Sean Strickland was teaching Nina Nunes how to ride a motorcycle, with predictably poor results given his teaching style.
Arman Tsarukyan has revealed that the UFC recently deposited an unexpected $42,000 bonus into his account, leaving the lightweight contender genuinely puzzled about the reason behind the payment.
Tsarukyan disclosed that the organization typically sends such bonuses without explanation, and he speculated the extra compensation may have been tied to his social media activity. He also joked that he deliberately avoided asking too many questions, fearing his manager would catch wind of the windfall and claim a percentage. The Armenian fighter noted this is not the first time the UFC has sent him an unannounced payment of this kind.
In officially confirmed matchup news, Paddy Pimblett will face Renato Moicano at UFC 329 on July 11. Pimblett, ranked sixth in the lightweight division at 31 years old, carries a 23-4 record and fights out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool. The Baddy lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate and averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a persistent threat on the ground as well as the feet. Moicano enters ranked 13th in the division with a 21-7-1 record at age 37. The Brazilian averages 1.68 takedowns per 15 minutes, the highest of the three fighters featured here, and connects at 49 percent accuracy with 4.1 significant strikes per minute.
Elsewhere, middleweight champion Sean Strickland found himself in a different kind of training environment, attempting to teach fellow fighter Nina Nunes how to ride a motorcycle. The 35-year-old Xtreme Couture product, who holds a 31-7 record and lands a punishing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, reportedly did not excel as an instructor, with results described as predictably chaotic given his personality.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Moicano is a stylistically compelling lightweight clash pitting a high-output striker against a seasoned grappler
- Moicano's takedown volume will test Pimblett's ability to keep the fight standing
- A win for either man carries significant top-ten implications in a loaded 155-pound division
Saturday, July 11, 2026
