Arman Tsarukyan: I am a Russian fighter, but I represent Armenia

Russian UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan (70 kg) explained why he represents Armenia in the world’s most prestigious fighting organization, Championat reports.

“There was no one in Armenia who fought for the UFC title, I will be the first… I am Armenian. I have never lived in Armenia, but I want to represent it, as there are no UFC fighters there. I have lived in Russia all my life; I grew up in Russia, and I finished school in Russia. I am a Russian fighter, but I represent Armenia. I want people to know about our small country. I want to show people that there is such a country as Armenia,” Tsarukyan said in an interview with Artem Tarasov on YouTube.

Tsarukyan, 27, debuted as a professional in 2015 and fought for the first time in the UFC in 2019.

In his latest fight at UFC 300 in April, Tsarukyan defeated Brazil’s Charles Oliveira, the former UFC champion, by split decision.