Neon saves the day!!! Arman Tsarukyan brought one of the worlds biggest streamers Neon in his corner and turns out he knows ball. Neon called for the elbow that knocked out Mauricio Ruffy and its safe to say Neon will be in Armans corner moving forward as long as he changes his hair. Arman has called for a title shot against Justin Gaethje, is it time for Arman to get the title shot?
Arman Tsarukyan turned heads both inside and outside the cage on September 20, finishing Mauricio Ruffy by knockout and immediately calling for a shot at the lightweight title.
The viral moment came courtesy of an unlikely corner man. Internet personality and streaming giant Neon was present in Tsarukyan's corner, and according to reports, it was Neon who called for the elbow that ultimately put Ruffy away. The moment quickly spread across social media, and Tsarukyan is said to be open to keeping Neon in his corner going forward — hair changes permitting.
Tsarukyan, known by his nickname "Ahalkalakets," is ranked second in the lightweight division and carries a 24-3 record. The 29-year-old Russian, who trains out of American Top Team, is a well-rounded threat averaging 3.25 takedowns per 15 minutes — an elite grappling rate — while also posting a 49 percent striking accuracy. The knockout finish over Ruffy adds a sharp new highlight to his resume and strengthens his case for a title opportunity.
Ruffy, ranked seventh at lightweight, entered the bout at 14-3 and had shown legitimate striking ability, landing 3.93 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy. The 30-year-old Brazilian from The Fighting Nerds camp absorbed the kind of finish that will sting, but his ranking means he remains a relevant figure in a loaded division.
The man Tsarukyan is targeting is Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje, the reigning lightweight champion. Gaethje holds a 28-5 record and at 37 remains one of the division's most relentless pressers, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. Whether the call for a title shot gains traction will depend on the UFC's plans for the belt.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's finish strengthens the argument for the number-two contender to leap into a title fight
- Gaethje's championship status makes any callout a high-profile storyline for the lightweight division
- The Neon corner involvement turned a sporting result into a major social media moment, broadening the story's reach well beyond core MMA audiences
