Tsarukyan On Controversy For 'Boring' Fighters

Arman Tsarukyan says fighters without knockout power need to court attention outside the cage.

The lightweight contender, who faces Mauricio Ruffy in the UFC 331 co-main event on Sept. 19, told Russian YouTube channel Vpiska that controversy serves a purpose for competitors whose styles fail to draw crowds. "If you're a boring fighter inside the cage, controversies are important for you," he said, per Sherdog. "Because if you're not here, you're not there; you get cut from the game fast. But if you're a great fighter and you knock people out and show that, you don't even need to talk English."

Tsarukyan Credits Social Media, Not UFC, For Recognition

Tsarukyan, who has built a following through Real American Freestyle appearances and his public connection to streamer Nina Drama, does not credit the promotion for his growing profile. He told Vpiska he expects the UFC to increase its promotional push once he claims a title. The Armenian lightweight said he is not yet a UFC star because fans found him through his own channels rather than company marketing.

"They know me because of myself," Tsarukyan said. "UFC hasn't really put the work in to make me a star yet. When I become a champion, the promotion will be on a whole different level from the UFC themselves."

Tsarukyan meets Ruffy at UFC 331 in three weeks.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Arman Tsarukyan says controversy is ‘important’ for ‘boring’ fighters