Arman Tsarukyan admitted he's 'not 100 per cent in on MMA' days before pulling out of UFC 311 main event
Yesterday at 05:14 PM
Days before being forced out of the main event of UFC 311, Arman Tsarukyan admitted to a pal that he is not ‘100 percent in’ on MMA.
For most fighters at any level, the chance to compete for a UFC world title is an ultimate goal that comes as the result of years of struggle. But it appears that the challenger already had his eyes on other things, and was willing to give up on the ‘sport’ of MMA after winning the belt.
Now, he may have missed his opportunity after being forced out of the main event of tomorrow night’s event. It appears that a back injury is what caused the last-second decision, and he has since been replaced by fan favorite Renato Moicano.
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Arman Tsarukyan admitted he isn’t ‘100 per cent in on MMA’ before UFC 311 pullout
During the lead-up to UFC 311, Arman Tsarukyan was documented for his YouTube channel during the camp for his biggest ever fight. He is known for being in phenomenal shape, and grafting to victories over top opponents such as Charles Oliveira before earning his title shot.
But during one segment of the documentary piece, he was asked by a pal about how he isn’t fully committed to the sport. This made headlines, and is a clip that has been replayed by fans across social media after his pulling out.
“You told us yourself that you aren’t 100% invested in MMA and that there are a lot of guys out there who work harder and yet,” his friend said during training for his fight at Mount Elbrus in Russia after he opted not to train in America.
“You are one step away from becoming the best lightweight on the planet. Have you ever asked yourself ‘What if I was 100% invested in MMA?’,” his friend asked.
He admitted that he may not be fully committed to ‘this business’, telling his friend in response: “Well, now we will see. The title fight will show if a man who is not 100 per cent invested in this business can still make it.”
Arman Tsarukyan also admitted he was only eyeing ‘money fights’ after UFC 311
Shortly after making that remark, he also told Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman on their Pound 4 Pound podcast that he was ready to give up on the ‘sport’ aspect of being in the UFC. His plan was to win the title, and then wait out ‘money fights’ should he get through Islam Makhachev.
"My goal is to get the belt and then from there, I'm just gonna think about business because what I wanted, to be a world champion right now," Tsarukyan said. "I just focus on Islam and when I win the title (I'm done with) the sport.
“I'm going to start just business and I'm going to pick [fights] against who the UFC pays me more, I'm going to fight. It's going to be business things, not just the sport. Right now it's legacy to be a champion after that, then business, after this fight when I'm champion I'm just gonna think about money.”
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