Jon Jones has publicly declared Arman Tsarukyan the people's champion.
Jon Jones took to social media on June 27 to publicly bestow an unofficial title on lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, calling the Russian fighter the "people's champion."
Jones, nicknamed "Bones," is one of the most decorated fighters in MMA history, carrying a 28-1-0 record across a career that has spanned multiple divisions. The 38-year-old stands six-foot-four with an extraordinary 84-inch reach and has consistently ranked among the sport's elite, landing 4.38 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Tsarukyan, 29, currently sits at number one in the lightweight division with a 23-3-0 record. The Russia-born fighter trains out of American Top Team and has built a reputation as one of the most well-rounded threats in the 155-pound weight class. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute and is a persistent threat on the ground, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Jones's endorsement carries significant weight given his stature in the sport, and his comments draw wider attention to Tsarukyan's standing in the lightweight division.
- As the number-one-ranked lightweight, Tsarukyan is already positioned at the top of a crowded and competitive 155-pound title picture, and praise from a figure like Jones only reinforces his profile.
- The "people's champion" label speaks to Tsarukyan's growing popularity, suggesting his fan following has begun to match his ranking.
