Arman Tsarukyan’s growing presence outside the UFC has become a major talking point in the MMA world. The lightweight contender spent much of the past time appearing alongside popular streamers and content creators like N3on and Nina Drama. He built a sizable online audience while waiting for his next opportunity inside the Octagon. That growing internet profile recently caught the attention of former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Adesanya suffered a second-round knockout loss to Joe Pyfer this March at UFC Seattle. That defeat pushed his current losing streak to four fights. Despite his recent setbacks in the cage, The Stylebender remains a highly vocal observer of the sport. While speaking to Demetrious Johnson on the “Mighty Mouse” podcast, the former champion shared a strong perspective when asked about Arman Tsarukyan’s lifestyle.
To be at the top of this game, you can’t be hanging out with Sneako, Neon on a regular basis (Referring to streamers). You gotta be in the gym, be at least as active as possible,” Adesanya said.
During a recent Kick stream, Nina Drama showed Tsarukyan the video of Adesanya discussing his streamer connections and how he spends his free time. The lightweight star took no time firing back a brutal response.
When I have a fight, I am locked in, but when I don’t have a fight, I chill and enjoy life. It’s better than drinking. Israel Adesanya… It’s better to stream than drink,” Tsarukyan said.
The remark immediately drew attention because of Adesanya’s well-documented 2023 drunk-driving case in New Zealand.
Tsarukyan’s response lands at a time when his public profile has never been higher. At the same time, questions about his UFC future remain in jeopardy. Despite holding the No. 2 spot in the lightweight rankings, Tsarukyan is still waiting for another title opportunity.
Earlier this month, he made headlines after choosing not to weigh in as a backup fighter for the Justin Gaethje versus Ilia Topuria bout at UFC Freedom 250. Instead, Arman competed at RAF 10 and dominated former interim UFC Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson. Tsarukyan scored a one-sided 10-0 technical fall victory, continuing his successful run in Real American Freestyle competition.
Alexander Volkanovski Believes Arman Tsarukyan’s UFC Title Shot Chances May Hurt After Freedom 250 Decision
Former Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski thinks Arman Tsarukyan made a major mistake that will cost him a UFC Lightweight Title fight. Tsarukyan was the designated backup fighter for the Ilia Topuria versus Justin Gaethje championship bout at UFC Freedom 250. Instead of stepping on the scale to lock in his position, the No. 2 ranked lightweight completely skipped the official weigh-ins.
Volkanovski broke down the fallout during an appearance on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast. He warned that the promotion expects top contenders to handle favors if they want favors in return.
So Arman not doing that I think is gonna hurt him, as the UFC, they like to favor you if you do them a favor and be company man, they will look after you. Like Lopes, look at him. Look at the opportunities that blokes getting. He was at all of them [the big events], so they’re giving him this, they’re giving him that. He got two title fights in a row,” Volkanovski stated.
Whether Tsarukyan’s online rise helps or hurts his UFC path remains a debate. For now, he continues to stay active across platforms while waiting for the promotion to decide his next step.
