Arman Tsarukyan says controversy is ‘important’ for ‘boring’ fighters

Arman Tsarukyan believes fighters without exciting fighting styles need to somehow find a way to draw attention.

Tsarukyan recently emphasized the importance of building a profile outside the Ultimate Fighting Championship for fighters who are unable to find regular finishes or have control-heavy styles.

Arman Tsarukyan discusses controversy, UFC promotion and building a profile outside the cage
Tsarukyan, who returns to the Octagon on Sept. 19 against Mauricio Ruffy in the UFC 331 co-main event, believes controversy can help fighters who don't naturally attract fans with their performances.

“If you’re a boring fighter inside the cage, controversies are important for you,” Tsarukyan said in an interview with Russian YouTube channel Vpiska. “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.”

The Armenian lightweight has increased his visibility outside the promotion through social media and appearances for Real American Freestyle, as well as his public association with streamer Nina Drama. Despite his growing profile, Tsarukyan doesn't believe the UFC has played a major role in turning him into a recognizable name and says he’ll reach a whole new level once he’s the champ.

“No, [I’m not a UFC star] because people know me not from the UFC pushing me,” Tsarukyan added. “They know me because of myself. UFC hasn’t really put the work in to make me a star yet. When they start working on me and start promoting me, then I’ll be a UFC star… When I become a champion, the promotion will be on a whole different level from the UFC themselves.”