Tsarukyan Reveals NHL Dream Before MMA

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan originally wanted to play in the NHL before he turned to mixed martial arts.

Tsarukyan, who faces Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 this weekend, told reporters at Wednesday's pre-fight press conference that hockey was his first passion. "I wanted to be a hockey player," he said, per MMA Junkie. "My dream was to go to the U.S. and play in the NHL. But I couldn't be a good hockey player, and then I started working. I didn't like working, and I became a fighter."

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Tsarukyan's Path From Hockey To Title Contention

The Armenian fighter added that his pivot to combat sports ended up delivering the American dream he chased as a kid. "Because of fighting, now I'm in U.S. and fighting in the best promotion in UFC," Tsarukyan said. He still plays recreationally when time allows and named Alexander Ovechkin as his favorite player.

A win over Ruffy on Saturday would likely earn Tsarukyan a lightweight title shot. When asked about his chances of fighting for gold next, he responded with certainty. "Yeah, 100 percent," he said, according to the report.

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UFC 331 airs this weekend with Tsarukyan and Ruffy on the main card.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Arman Tsarukyan reveals the career he wanted before MMA