Justin Gaethje publicly rejected a pickup truck that Arman Tsarukyan had intended to gift him, stating on the Joe Rogan Podcast that he would not accept a vehicle from Tsarukyan since the two never shook hands on any agreement. Tsarukyan responded by saying he will instead raffle the truck to his followers, adding that he hopes the winner needs it more than Gaethje does. Tsarukyan also said he had confirmed the truck's color with Gaethje's manager before the rejection, and closed by saying he looks forward to beating Gaethje in their upcoming fight.
What began as an unusual act of generosity has turned into public theater between two of the lightweight division's biggest names. Justin Gaethje appeared on the Joe Rogan Podcast and rejected a pickup truck that Arman Tsarukyan had planned to gift him, stating flatly that no handshake agreement had ever been made between the two and that he would not accept the vehicle on that basis. Tsarukyan fired back by announcing he will raffle the truck to his followers, adding that he hopes whoever wins it needs it more than Gaethje does. Tsarukyan also disclosed that he had confirmed the truck's color with Gaethje's manager before the rejection came, putting a finer point on his frustration.
Gaethje, 37, is the reigning UFC lightweight champion out of the United States, carrying a record of 28 wins and 5 losses. The Arizona-based fighter trains out of Genesis Training Center and lands an impressive 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the most active and precise strikers in the division.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters the situation as the number-one-ranked lightweight contender. The Russian fighter representing American Top Team holds a 23-3 record and brings an entirely different skill set to the matchup, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. At 170 cm tall, he owns a 183-centimeter reach that outmeasures Gaethje's 178-centimeter frame despite giving up significant height.
Why it matters
- The two are already booked to fight, meaning this public back-and-forth adds a genuine personal edge to a title bout already carrying major divisional weight.
- A Tsarukyan victory would represent the top-ranked contender completing the expected climb; Gaethje's title reign remains on the line.
- The contrasting styles — Gaethje's elite striking volume against Tsarukyan's relentless grappling pressure — made this a compelling matchup before the truck dispute added fuel.
