Arman Tsarukyan Accuses Dana White and UFC of ‘Blacklisting’ Russian Fighters

#2 ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan takes issue with the discrimination of Russian fighters in the UFC.

Arman Tsarukyan Accuses Dana White and UFC of ‘Blacklisting’ Russian Fighters

Arman Tsarukyan takes issue with the UFC's treatment of Russian fighters (via MMA Mania, The Hill)

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The UFC has seen a surge of dominance from fighters from Russia and the Caucasus, with many making significant impacts across divisions. Among them, Arman Tsarukyan has steadily climbed the lightweight rankings, establishing himself as a top contender. His rise has highlighted both the talent coming from the region and the unique challenges faced by Russian fighters in the UFC.

Tsarukyan’s UFC career has been marked by dominant performances against high-level opponents. He has secured wins over Joaquim Silva, Drew Dober, and Beneil Dariush, showing a well-rounded skill set in both striking and grappling. His last outing was a well-measured performance against former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300, where the Armenian star secured a split decision victory.

‘Ahalkalakets’ is set to face Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, the promotion’s first-ever event in the country. The matchup carries significant stakes, with Tsarukyan noting Hooker has had multiple opportunities to prove himself. He also compared the treatment of fighters and emphasized that Russian athletes like him face more formidable challenges in earning chances.

They all have a choice. It’s only us who have no choice, fighters from Russia. We do what the UFC tells us, if you dare deny one fight offer, you’ll be blacklisted.

Arman Tsarukyan via X

Tsarukyan’s journey has seen controversy. He withdrew from a UFC 311 title fight against then-champion Islam Makhachev due to a back injury. This led to a confrontation with UFC CEO Dana White, who immediately removed him from the title picture. White’s immediate decision highlighted the pressure and scrutiny Russian fighters often face even if they have valid reasons.

The impact of Russian fighters extends beyond Tsarukyan as Khabib Nurmagomedov’s dominant reign opened doors for athletes worldwide. Usman Nurmagomedov has won the lightweight championship in the PFL while UFC has stars like Khamzat Chimaev and Umar Nurmagomedov. Their success has strengthened the global reputation of Russian and Caucasus fighters in MMA.

As UFC Qatar nears, the fight between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker represents a critical step toward a title shot against champion Ilia Topuria. Both fighters are competing for the No.1 contender spot, with tensions already rising as they exchange competitive remarks ahead of the bout. The matchup promises high stakes inside the octagon on November 22nd at the ABHA Arena in Doha.

Arman Tsarukyan reveals his training and recovery routine

#2 ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has developed one of the most structured and disciplined routines among top-tier fighters. Known for his relentless work ethic, the Armenian-Russian athlete maintains a training schedule that focuses on maximizing both recovery and performance. ‘Ahalkalakets’ has also developed one of the most ripped and aesthetic physiques of the division.

Arman Tsarukyan
Arman Tsarukyan (via GivemeSport)

Fighters such as Nathaniel Wood and Khabib Nurmagomedov have also popularized mid-training naps as part of their recovery strategy. Tsarukyan follows a similar philosophy but takes it a step further by revealing that he divides his 10–11 hours of daily sleep into three separate sessions. His breakdown of this schedule provided an insight into the attention to recovery among modern athletes.

I do my morning training, I have my breakfast then I go for a short sleep. Then I’ll do my afternoon training, I’ll have my launch and I sleep again. At 5:30 PM I do my training, I eat. I go for a walk before I go to my night sleep.

Arman Tsarukyan via X

Arman Tsarukyan’s routine reflected his drive to stay sharp in one of the UFC’s toughest divisions. As he prepares to face Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, his recovery plan could be key to maintaining stamina and focus. The lightweight contender’s discipline shows how top fighters are constantly refining every detail of their preparation.

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