Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan disclosed that the UFC recently sent him an unexpected payment of $42,000. The Armenian fighter stated he was unsure of the exact reason for the bonus, speculating it might be related to his social media activity. Tsarukyan mentioned that the UFC frequently provides him with extra bonuses beyond his contracted pay. He joked that he did not inquire about the purpose of the payment to avoid his manager requesting a percentage. The revelation highlights the UFC's practice of rewarding fighters with discretionary bonuses.
Arman Tsarukyan has revealed that the UFC sent him an unexpected bonus of $42,000, a payment the lightweight contender said he did not anticipate and whose exact purpose he remains uncertain about.
Tsarukyan, ranked number one in the lightweight division at 29 years old, disclosed the windfall publicly and speculated the payment may have been tied to his social media activity. He noted that the UFC regularly supplements his contracted earnings with discretionary bonuses, suggesting this is not the first time he has received additional compensation outside of his fight purses. In a lighthearted moment, the Armenian-born fighter joked that he deliberately avoided asking for clarification on the bonus to prevent his manager from learning about it and seeking a percentage.
The Russian-based orthodox fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, carries a professional record of 23 wins and 3 losses. Standing at five feet seven inches with a 72-inch reach, Tsarukyan is one of the more technically complete fighters in the 155-pound division, landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate while also threatening consistently on the ground with 3.26 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- The disclosure offers a rare glimpse into the UFC's practice of issuing discretionary bonuses beyond standard contracted pay and performance bonuses.
- Tsarukyan's standing as the top-ranked lightweight means any news surrounding him draws significant attention to the division.
- The social media angle suggests the UFC may be actively rewarding fighters who generate promotional value through their online presence.
