Arman Tsarukyan revealed the UFC sent him an unexpected bonus of $42,000 a few days ago. The lightweight contender said he did not understand what the payment was for, as the UFC typically does not explain such bonuses. Tsarukyan speculated it might be related to his social media activity. He joked that he did not ask for details because his manager might claim a percentage of the bonus. Additional updates from the post include Sean Strickland commenting on carrying a weapon and Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena conducting their first face-off, with Prates appearing notably large for the welterweight division.
Arman Tsarukyan has revealed that the UFC deposited an unexpected $42,000 bonus into his account in the days leading up to late April, leaving the lightweight contender puzzled about its origin.
Tsarukyan said the UFC provided no explanation for the payment, which he noted is standard practice for such bonuses. He speculated the money could be tied to his social media activity, though he acknowledged he had no way to confirm that. In a candid aside, he joked that he deliberately avoided asking his manager for clarity, not wanting the additional earnings to trigger a percentage cut.
The lightweight contender is one of the division's most prominent figures, and the unprompted payment underscores the promotional value the UFC places on fighters who maintain a strong public presence outside the cage.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's situation highlights how the UFC occasionally rewards fighters through undisclosed bonus structures beyond standard fight-night payouts.
- Sean Strickland, the 185-pound champion, also drew attention in the same news cycle after commenting publicly about carrying a weapon — remarks that add to the outspoken middleweight's ongoing headline count.
- Meanwhile, Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena completed their first face-off, with the six-foot-one Brazilian appearing notably large for the 170-pound division alongside the Australian contender standing five-foot-eleven.
Prates, ranked fifth at welterweight with a 78-inch reach and a striking accuracy of 55 percent across a 24-7 professional record, presented a physically imposing contrast to Della Maddalena, the fourth-ranked welterweight who carries a 51 percent striking accuracy and an 18-4 mark at 29 years old. The visual impression at the face-off set an early tone for what figures to be a significant divisional matchup.
