Arman Tsarukyan revealed that the UFC recently sent him an unexpected bonus payment of $42,000. The fighter stated he did not understand the reason for the payment, as the promotion typically does not explain such bonuses. Tsarukyan speculated it might be related to his social media activity but admitted he did not ask for clarification, joking that his manager might request a percentage if he inquired. The post also mentions Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena had their first face-off, with Prates appearing significantly larger. Additionally, Shamail Gaziev weighed around 140 kilograms yesterday despite competing in the 120-kilogram division.
Arman Tsarukyan disclosed this week that the UFC deposited an unexpected $42,000 bonus into his account, leaving the lightweight contender genuinely puzzled about the reason behind the payment.
Tsarukyan, who fights out of American Top Team, said the promotion offered no explanation, as is apparently standard practice for such payments. The 29-year-old Russian speculated the bonus may be tied to his social media presence, though he admitted he had not sought clarification — joking that asking questions might prompt his manager to claim a cut of the windfall.
Tsarukyan carries a 23-3-0 record and sits ranked first in the lightweight division, making him one of the most prominent names in a loaded 155-pound class. He averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that underscores his wrestling-heavy approach, and lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute with 50 percent accuracy.
Elsewhere in the same news cycle, welterweights Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena met face-to-face for the first time, with Prates reportedly appearing noticeably larger than his opponent. Prates, known as "The Nightmare," is ranked fifth at welterweight with a 24-7-0 record. The 32-year-old Brazilian stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and lands strikes at a 55 percent accuracy rate. Della Maddalena, ranked fourth in the division at 18-4-0, is 29 years old and stands five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, averaging 5.57 significant strikes per minute — among the higher output figures in the division.
Also noted in the report, heavyweight prospect Shamail Gaziev tipped the scales at approximately 140 kilograms ahead of a bout contested at the 120-kilogram limit, highlighting the significant weight management demands he faces before fight week.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's bonus raises questions about how the UFC structures undisclosed incentive payments for top-ranked fighters
- The Prates-Della Maddalena face-off signals a high-stakes welterweight matchup between two ranked contenders separated by only one spot in the divisional standings
- The size disparity at the face-off, and Gaziev's pre-camp weight, add physical context to both upcoming bouts
