Arman Tsarukyan has once again found himself amid controversy due to his behavior at the recent RA Fight 6 event. Known as ‘Ahalkalakets,’ Tsarukyan’s actions have included headbutting opponents during weigh-ins and aggressive conduct inside the cage, culminating in an altercation after his match with Georgio Poullas.
Tsarukyan secured a narrow 5-3 victory over Poullas, a former Division I wrestler famous for openly challenging anyone to take him down for cash prizes. However, the contest was marred by physical confrontations, including the referee needing to step in multiple times due to open-hand strikes. The situation escalated when Tsarukyan threw a ground strike immediately after the bout ended, sparking a brief scuffle involving both fighters’ camps until security restored order.
Following the incident, UFC veteran Colby Covington escorted Poullas away from the mat area to prevent further conflict. Despite the turmoil, Tsarukyan’s relationship with the UFC leadership, particularly Dana White, appears intact.
Dana White’s Reaction to Tsarukyan’s RAF Incident
When questioned about Tsarukyan’s recent behavior during media sessions at UFC 326, Dana White responded dismissively, signaling a lack of concern for the altercation outside the UFC sphere. White stated,
“I don’t give a s**t about any of that stuff. I focus on my own stuff. That’s somebody else’s problem, not mine.”
This remark highlights White’s stance on keeping UFC affairs separate from events held by other organizations like RAF, despite Tsarukyan’s recurring controversies.
Tsarukyan’s Previous Controversies and UFC Relations
Tsarukyan has faced criticism from UFC officials multiple times, most notably after withdrawing from a title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. Further criticism arose when he headbutted fellow fighter Dan Hooker during UFC Qatar face-offs, incidents that strained his standing with UFC management.
White Explains Tsarukyan’s Exclusion from Interim Title Contention
The MMA community was surprised when Tsarukyan was overlooked for the UFC 324 interim lightweight championship fight. Dana White justified the decision by emphasizing that Tsarukyan must prove himself again due to his previous fight withdrawal. During the UFC 323 post-fight press conference, White remarked,
“He had an opportunity. You guys know how it played out. He is going to have to work his way back. I don’t give a s**t what the number [ranking] says. He is going to have to work his way back. Too much goes into this for those types of things to happen.”
The Path Forward for Arman Tsarukyan
With Dana White making it clear that ranking alone will not secure Tsarukyan another title shot, the fighter faces a challenging road ahead. His recent actions at RAF and previous UFC incidents have placed him under scrutiny, and his future in the lightweight division will depend on his ability to regain trust both inside and outside the octagon. How Tsarukyan navigates this tense phase could reshape his standing in the UFC and influence upcoming matchups in the division.
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