Arman Tsarukyan Warned About Career Direction by Israel Adesanya After Streaming Success

Israel Adesanya weighs in on Arman Tsarukyan's growing success outside MMA and issues a warning about balancing his various pursuits.

Arman Tsarukyan Warned About Career Direction by Israel Adesanya After Streaming Success

Israel Adesanya cautions Arman Tsarukyan against spending all his time streaming [via MMA Mania and TikTok]

Arman Tsarukyan has been in limbo waiting for a shot at the lightweight belt for over a year now. He has used this time to become sensationally viral on social media through his antics. But as he branches out into the pursuit of becoming a content creator, the Armenian lightweight was cautioned by middleweight star, Israel Adesanya.

The former middleweight was discussing the lightweight title picture with Demetrious Johnson on the flyweight legend’s Mighty YouTube channel. Adesanya floated the winner of Conor McGregor and Max Holloway for Justin Gaethje, the newly crowned champion. That was when ‘Mighty Mouse’ asked about his former collaborator Tsarukyan’s chance at being the next fighter up for the title.

‘The Last Stylebender’ immediately retorted by bringing up the 29-year-old’s streaming career. He did not believe that spending time with other content creators is conducive to the pursuit of a UFC title. The two-time middleweight champion also pointed at the Armenian’s inactivity in the UFC, with him having fought only once since the start of 2025.

He knows how to train, he knows what to do. But to be at the top. Top, top, top of this game, you can’t be hanging out with Sneako, N3on on a regular basis. You gotta be in the gym. I know this, you know this. You gotta be at least as active as possible.

Israel Adesanya told Demetrious Johnson

The No.2 ranked lightweight has frequently collaborated with N3on, and recently pranked him by paying a barber to dye his hair. As such, the middleweight believes a fight between Gaethje and McGregor is the real money to be made in the lightweight division. However, Arman Tsarukyan found himself a staunch advocate in Johnson who believed the UFC was the real roadblock in his path to the title.

I think he’s just waiting for his opportunity and I think the UFC is just not giving him that opportunity… I think, you know, whatever he decides to do, he’s going to succeed. Like after working with him, from the outside when you’re looking in, yes, he’s a streamer. He’s making great money doing all that stuff. But behind the sheets, underneath the sheets, my man Arman, he’s out there putting in work.

Demetrious Johnson via his YouTube Channel

The former UFC flyweight champion is arguing a point backed by MMA fans. ‘Ahalkalakets’ has been long overlooked for a title shot by the UFC with Charles Oliveira and Gaethje getting the nod before him. Moreover, he has been very active outside of the UFC in Real American Freestyle

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Arman Tsarukyan is now 6-0 in RAF bouts after beating Tony Ferguson

Despite his perceived inactivity in the UFC lightweight division, Arman Tsarukyan has remained quite the workhorse for Real American Freestyle. The fledgling wrestling promotion has received quite a significant boost from the Armenian’s antics over the past year and a half. So much so that he earlier joked about having added $100 million to their valuation.

Arman Tsarukyan
Arman Tsarukyan vs Tony Ferguson at RAF 10 [via Lowkick MMA]

The day before Justin Gaethje upset Ilia Topuria to become the champion at 155lbs, Arman Tsarukyan was taking on Tony Ferguson at RAF 10. He beat ‘El Cucuy’ by technical fall to improve his record to 6-0 in the promotion. Later in the main event of RAF 10, his training partner would wreak havoc on the event by brawling with perennial firestarter, Dillon Danis.

Last Saturday’s win was the lightweight’s second win in two weeks after previously having beat influencer Mugzy at RAF 09. He is set to keep up this incredible schedule as the Armenian takes on recently retired UFC welterweight Colby Covington at RAF 11 on July 18th. The 29-year-old has competed at every RAF event since his debut at RAF 05.

‘Ahalkalakets’ has remained incredibly devoted to competing in the promotion lately, having passed up the opportunity to be the backup fighter at the White House. However, with the latest twist in the lightweight title picture, it may finally be time for Tsarukyan to receive a shot at the belt.

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