Wealthy UFC Star Arman Tsarukyan Jokes About ‘Buying’ Dana White for $500 Million

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan hilariously jokes about how much it would cost to buy out UFC CEO Dana White.

Wealthy UFC Star Arman Tsarukyan Jokes About ‘Buying’ Dana White for $500 Million

Arman Tsarukyan jokes about buying out Dana White (via Parade, Sportnet)

UFC CEO Dana White has overseen the UFC’s development since 2001, navigating early financial and regulatory struggles. His leadership helped globalize mixed martial arts through events held worldwide and inside major arenas. That scale recently drew attention when #1 lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan dismissed any notion of White or the promotion being bought out by a country to host events.

Tsarukyan has stayed highly visible through one of the strongest PR runs by a UFC fighter in recent times. He has appeared on streams with figures such as N3on and Adin Ross while also participating in grappling matches against Sharaputdin Magomedov, Lance Palmer, and Benson Henderson. These activities have helped him stay relevant after being snubbed from the interim title fight at UFC 324.

Tsarukyan recently appeared in an interview with Complex News, where the discussion turned toward UFC leadership and international events. He was asked whether White had been bought out by Azerbaijan in order to stage UFC Baku in June 2025. However, the Armenian lightweight dismissed any such claim and instead led the conversation toward a joking estimate of what it might cost to buy out the UFC CEO.

That’s bulls***. Nobody can buy Dana. It’s gonna be too hard. If it was like this, I would buy him already. $500 million, I think. It’s possible. I mean, we will reach out to Armenian billionaires.

Arman Tsarukyan via Complex News

Tsarukyan is widely viewed as a wealthy figure, regularly seen traveling in luxury cars, boarding private jets, and dining at some of the most exclusive restaurants. A large portion of that lifestyle is credited to his father, Nairi Tsarukyan, an Armenian business tycoon who owns major construction ventures. His net worth is estimated at around $100 million, providing financial backing beyond Arman’s fighting career.

Tensions between White and Tsarukyan have lingered following several incidents over the past years. Tsarukyan was suspended after headbutting a fan during his UFC 300 walkout and later withdrew from his title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. According to White, the situation worsened after he headbutted Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, impacting his standing as a dependable title contender.

As of 2025, Dana White’s net worth is estimated at $600 million according to Forbes, highlighting the financial scale he has built during his tenure with the UFC. Despite being criticized by the UFC CEO over the past two years, Arman Tsarukyan has largely avoided inflaming the situation. His recent comments suggested a controlled approach that preserved a level of respect despite their strained relationship.

Arman Tsarukyan talks about Russian dominance in the UFC

Since Khabib Nurmagomedov’s rise, fighters from Russia and the Caucasus have shown consistent excellence in MMA. Islam Makhachev currently holds the welterweight belt, Khamzat Chimaev is the middleweight champion, and Petr Yan holds the bantamweight title. Movsar Evloev and Arman Tsarukyan are ranked as #1 contenders in their divisions. This concentration of talent highlights the region’s impact on the sport.

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

Many of these fighters rely heavily on wrestling or grappling, which can make their bouts appear slow or overly technical to casual fans. Language barriers also exist, as several struggle to communicate effectively in English during interviews and media events. Tsarukyan recently pointed out potential challenges Russian fighters may face in the future if fewer champions emerge from other nations.

You have to understand that the organizations have their own plans. It’s big marketing, big business. They signed a big contract with Paramount; they need American champions, English champions. That’s my opinion. I think another Russian will become a champion, 5–6 belts will end up in Russia. I think because of that, they slowed me down a bit. If we’re gonna take all the belts, then the UFC won’t have champions from the US and England.

Arman Tsarukyan via Complex News

According to Tsarukyan, the UFC’s new deal with Paramount+ may have influenced his being passed over for the interim title matchup. He believes the streaming platform places a premium on champions who can communicate effectively in English to engage a broader audience. The Armenian also highlighted this as a potential challenge for non-English-speaking fighters in the promotion.

Tsarukyan has also previously suggested that fighters from Russia and the surrounding region face uneven treatment in UFC matchmaking and disciplinary measures, raising the possibility of institutional bias within the promotion. The conversation highlights ongoing debate about how fighters are positioned and promoted across different nationalities in the organization.

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