When an individual is an elite fighter in the UFC’s lightweight division, they can’t be afraid of anything. Arman Tsarukyan took that to the extreme recently while fishing in Florida’s Everglades. The Armenian-born contender went full Steve Irwin. He wrestled with a massive 8-foot alligator with his bare hands.
Top journalist Ariel Helwani recently interviewed Arman Tsarukyan on his show, The MMA Hour. The #1 ranked lightweight revealed the story behind his viral picture holding an alligator. The fighter revealed that he had choked out the 8 ft long Alligator.
I choked him out. I caught him, pulled him out from [the river], choked him, and put it on my back…I got a license to kill the alligator…He was 50, 70 pounds. Caught him without meat or anything…other animals it’s sad, but alligators, it’s ok. They eat people. Rear-naked choke from back-mount…I’m going to wear them to my title fight. Alligator boots.
Arman Tsarukyan via The MMA Hour
Tsarukyan went full Crocodile Hunter mode. He even commemorated the achievement by draping the gator’s carcass over his shoulders and posing for an Instagram photo like it was just a nice jacket. Whether fight fans will see the Alligator leather boots at his next fight remains to be seen.
Arman Tsarukyan tells a wild story about using a “rear naked choke” when hunting alligators in Florida.
The ending to the story is worth the watch 😂
Ariel: What do you do with the alligator afterwards?
Arman: Boots…I’m going to wear them for my title fight. @ArmanUfc /… pic.twitter.com/sNmrafRUb3
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) June 5, 2024
Tsarukyan is probably training for his expected title bout against reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. He became the #1 contender after winning a split decision against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. The rematch with Makhachev has strong support from the UFC boss as well.
Arman Tsarukyan confident in his skills; feels Islam Makhachev fight ‘very easy’ for him
A rematch with champion Islam Makhachev is already a done deal for Arman Tsarukyan. He doesn’t just think he’ll win the likely title fight. He’s outright guaranteeing a victory over his former rival. Tsarukyan is confident in his grappling skills over the Dagestani phenom.
Arman Tsarukyan thinks Islam Makhachev would be an easy fight (via YouTube)The Armenian fighter claimed his wrestling was way better than Makhachev’s. He believed that this would give him an edge in their rematch. Tsarukyan also revealed his confidence in becoming the lightweight champion.
It would be very easy fight for me. I could outwrestle him [in] that fight as well because he got tired. When you’re tired, you can’t do s**t. Even if you have the best skills in the world, if you’re tired, you’re done.
Arman Tsarukyan via The MMA Hour
The brash Armenian’s confidence stems from Makhachev’s performance at UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier. While Makhachev ultimately secured a late submission win, Tsarukyan felt the champ looked far from unstoppable. In Makhachev’s defense, the Staph infection may have played a role in cardio issues. However, Tsarukyan felt it just proved Makhachev’s limit as a fighter.
