Arman Tsarukyan on UFC 331 Ticket Mania: "FedEx Drivers Are Coming Up to Me"
Arman Tsarukyan has had to change his phone number after getting way too many ticket requests from people for his UFC 331 matchup against Mauricio Ruffy.
When you are one of the most dangerous lightweight contenders on the planet, everybody wants a piece of your time, and, more importantly, a ticket to your next fight. Lightweight standout Arman Tsarukyan is learning that reality the hard way as the frenzy surrounding his return reaches a boiling point.
Holding a formidable 23-3 professional MMA record with 15 career finishes, Tsarukyan has firmly established himself at the top of the 155-pound division. Coming off high-profile victories over former champion Charles Oliveira and a submission finish against Dan Hooker, the 29-year-old Armenian-Russian powerhouse has become a massive draw. But with that spotlight comes a relentless wave of family, friends, and acquaintances asking for favors.
The ticket demand has gotten so out of hand that Tsarukyan recently revealed he had to take drastic measures just to get some peace of mind: he changed his phone number.
FedEx Encounters and High-Stakes Bets
It isn't just people in his contact list blowing up his phone, either. The hype has spilled over into Tsarukyanā€™s everyday routine, leading to unexpected run-ins with passionate fight fans in the most mundane places.
Recalling a recent encounter while grabbing a coffee, Tsarukyan shared just how personal the fan interactions have become.
"A lot, and I've changed my number," Tsarukyan said regarding the ticket inquiries. "Yeah, even when I was in Starbucks, the guys from FedEx just met me and say, 'Oh, I'm coming for you, I bet a hundred bucks on you.' I say okay, good job."
That unbothered reaction is classic Tsarukyan. The Armenian fighter is not worried about bets; he's worried about beating his opponent. A win at UFC 331 will definitely put him into title contention, something he has been working towards ever since he had to pull out of his title fight against Islam Makhachev.
As Tsarukyan prepares for his next fight, the pressure continues to build. Coaches around the sport view him as a nightmare matchup for anyone in the division thanks to his relentless wrestling and knockout power. But for now, if you are trying to reach Tsarukyan for a seat in the arena, you might want to try your luck elsewhere; his new number is strictly off-limits.
