Arman Tsarukyan revealed the UFC recently sent him an unexpected $42,000 bonus. Tsarukyan stated he doesn't understand what the payment was for, as the organization typically doesn't explain such bonuses. He speculated it might be related to his social media work but didn't ask for clarification, joking that his manager might want a percentage if he inquired. The post also mentions Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena had their first face-off, with Prates appearing notably large for the welterweight division. Additionally, it references Shamil Gaziev weighing around 140kg despite competing at heavyweight (120kg limit) with limited recovery time for his Australia bout.
Arman Tsarukyan has revealed that the UFC sent him an unexpected $42,000 bonus, though the lightweight contender says he has no clear idea what the payment was for.
Tsarukyan disclosed the surprise payment publicly, noting the organization did not provide an explanation, which he suggested is typical of how the UFC handles such bonuses. He speculated the money may be tied to his social media activity, though he stopped short of seeking clarification — joking that asking questions might prompt his manager to request a cut of whatever the answer turned up.
The same post also highlighted the first face-off between welterweights Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena. Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and currently sits fifth in the welterweight rankings at 32 years old. The Brazilian stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and has shown sharp accuracy, connecting on 55 percent of his significant strikes. Della Maddalena, ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, is 29 years old and holds an 18-4 record. The Australian operates out of a switch stance and lands an eye-catching 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. Observers noted Prates appeared physically large for the 170-pound division when the two came face to face.
Separately, the post flagged a notable detail surrounding heavyweight Shamil Gaziev ahead of his upcoming bout in Australia. The 36-year-old, ranked 11th at heavyweight, was reported to be weighing approximately 140 kilograms despite the division's 120-kilogram limit, raising questions about how much of a cut he faces and how limited his recovery window is before fight night. Gaziev stands six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach and competes out of KHK MMA in Bahrain.
Why it matters
- Prates and Della Maddalena are ranked fifth and fourth at welterweight respectively, making their matchup a significant divisional sorting contest
- The size disparity noted at the Prates-Della Maddalena face-off could hint at a meaningful physical chess match between two switch-stance strikers
- Gaziev's reported weight of 140 kg against a 120 kg limit raises legitimate questions about his conditioning heading into the Australia card
