In the brutal world of mixed martial arts, where fighters often battle for financial survival, UFC lightweight star Arman Tsarukyan stands apart. The top contender, set for a crucial bout this weekend, could walk away from the sport tomorrow and live in luxury for the rest of his life, all thanks to his family's immense wealth.
A Fortune Forged in Construction
While many of his peers fight to pay the bills, Tsarukyan's motivation stems from a pure desire for sporting glory. The 29-year-old Armenian fighter owes his lavish lifestyle to his father, Nairi Tsarukyan, a wealthy real-estate entrepreneur who built a construction empire. Various online reports estimate the family's wealth to be a staggering well over £100million.
Tsarukyan has never been shy about showcasing his luxurious life on social media. His followers are treated to glimpses of expensive cars, private-jet trips, resort getaways, and even meals of black caviar. However, the fighter has previously pushed back on the scale of the rumours, clarifying his financial limits in a past interview.
"People jealous you know, that I have money," he said. "I don't have too much money, but I can live, I can do whatever I want in this life. I can buy whatever I want, but I cannot buy a private jet. I cannot buy a private yacht."
From the Family Business to the Octagon
Born in Georgia and raised in the Russian city of Jabarovsk, Tsarukyan was no stranger to hard work from a young age. He initially worked for his father's business, but the demanding schedule, which involved working from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., quickly made him realise his future lay elsewhere.
"I used to work three months with him, and I said, 'No way I can be here anymore. I want to be in a sport,'" Tsarukyan recalled in a conversation with Ariel Helwani. "That's so hard job... Better to be in the sport than in the big business."
He transitioned from hockey to mixed martial arts, training diligently in sambo, wrestling, and grappling. His talent was evident early on, and after a successful run on the Russian regional circuit, he made his UFC debut in 2019 on short notice against the formidable Islam Makhachev.
Championship Ambitions Beyond Wealth
Despite losing that debut fight on points, Tsarukyan has since cemented his status as a top-tier lightweight. He boasts significant wins against elite competition including Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, and Damir Ismagulov.
His ambition, however, is not fuelled by his bank balance. Tsarukyan has openly stated that his primary goal is to win the UFC lightweight championship. Ahead of his planned rematch with Makhachev earlier this year—a fight he later pulled out of due to injury—he even suggested that winning the belt might mean he was "done with the sport."
He later clarified, explaining that he would then focus on "business fights" to further increase his wealth. "My goal is to get the belt and then from there, I’m just gonna think about business... After this fight when I’m champion I’m just gonna think about money," Tsarukyan said.
This weekend, all focus is on his return to the cage. Tsarukyan is set to face lightweight danger-man Dan Hooker at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Qatar on Saturday, November 22. A victory is expected to position him for a title shot next year, proving that for this unique fighter, the real prize isn't monetary—it's the legacy that comes with being a world champion.
