(Video) Arman Tsarukyan Puts Fear in Streamer iShowSpeed After Threatening Takedowns

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan continues his PR run by recently collaborating with IShowSpeed.

(Video) Arman Tsarukyan Puts Fear in Streamer iShowSpeed After Threatening Takedowns

Arman Tsarukyan meets IShowSpeed (via Instagram)

In Short
  • Arman Tsarukyan has gained significant visibility through collaborations with influencers like IShowSpeed and appearances on livestreams.
  • Despite being a top lightweight contender, Tsarukyan was bypassed for a title shot due to past behavioral issues.
  • He is set to face Georgio Poullas in a rematch at RAF 07 following a controversial first meeting that ended in a brawl.

When Arman Tsarukyan debuted in 2019, he lost a unanimous decision to Islam Makhachev, and few expected his rise. Despite missing a title shot, the Armenian star has become one of the most recognizable UFC fighters outside the octagon. His profile has grown through wrestling tournaments and collaborations with popular influencers, recently highlighted during a meeting with streamer IShowSpeed.

Tsarukyan made his return to the Octagon at UFC Qatar, where he submitted Dan Hooker in his first fight since defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in 2024. The win marked his reestablishment as a top lightweight contender. Despite holding the top rank, UFC CEO Dana White bypassed the Armenian star for the UFC interim lightweight title at UFC 324. cited past behavioral issues as the reason for the snub.

Since his recent return, Tsarukyan has increasingly collaborated with prominent online personalities, expanding his visibility beyond competition. In a recent streaming appearance with IShowSpeed, the two engaged in a brief grappling exchange that drew significant attention online. During the sequence, Tsarukyan executed a lift, momentarily taking the streamer off his feet using wrestling control.

Speed, whose real name is Darren Watkins, has increasingly interacted with UFC athletes in recent months. During a stop in Albuquerque on his United States tour, he met UFC legend Jon Jones. He was also seen at the UFC Performance Institute, where he engaged in a grappling exchange with strawweight contender Vanessa Demopoulos. The appearance added to his crossover involvement with MMA figures.

Tsarukyan’s rise in public visibility gained momentum after an appearance on N3on’s livestream, where he presented a more relaxed side of himself. The exposure introduced him to a wider online audience outside MMA. He later collaborated with creators such as Adin Ross and Jake Paul, further expanding his reach. These appearances contributed to a noticeable increase in his popularity across digital platforms.

The recent interaction with Speed, one of the most prominent streamers globally, reflects Arman Tsarukyan’s growing mainstream visibility. Despite his standing at lightweight, his chances of securing a title shot at 155 pounds remain limited. As a result, attention has shifted toward a possible move to featherweight. A potential pursuit of Alexander Volkanovski’s title at 145 pounds presents an alternative path forward.

Arman Tsarukyan is not afraid to get into a brawl at RAF 07

Arman Tsarukyan is set to face Georgio Poullas in a rematch at RAF 7 following their controversial first meeting at RAF 6. Tsarukyan won the initial bout on points, but the match ended in a post-fight altercation that escalated into a brawl involving both camps. The incident led to immediate discussions about a rematch, which was later confirmed as the main event of the RAF 07 card in Tampa.

Arman Tsarukyan trash talks Georgio Poullas
Arman Tsarukyan trash-talks Georgio Poullas (via Instagram, UFC)

There were doubts about the rematch taking place under the RAF banner, with discussions including a potential submission-only bout at Hype FC in Brazil. The matchup was later confirmed for RAF 07. Arman Tsarukyan also faced backlash following the post-fight incident where he punched Poullas after their meeting. He recently discussed factors that could influence another altercation at RAF 07.

If Georgio was a man, I would have a problem with the guy, but with these guys I’m never gonna have problems because he’s not a man of his words. You can do something to him and he can cancel the fight and say I broke my hand, I wanna sue you – he’s kind of a tricky guy. He’s like a rat. I’m in the UFC and for me it’s bad to fight somebody somewhere, especially with wrestlers. They don’t know how to fight. I can break his arms, legs, head – it’s dangerous because we know how to use our hands, elbows, kicks.

Arman Tsaukyan via FOX Nation

The altercation following their first meeting has had consequences beyond the rivalry, impacting Tsarukyan’s standing with UFC leadership. The incident placed him in the bad books of UFC CEO Dana White, raising concerns over his reliability. White had also expressed dissatisfaction after Arman Tsarukyan’s initial involvement in the RAF 6 brawl. The situation adds further scrutiny ahead of the rematch at RAF 7.

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