Arman Tsarukyan has rapidly climbed the ranks of the UFC's lightweight division with his ferocious grappling and relentless pressure, drawing attention not only for his performances but also for his mindset. Now, the 27-year-old has revealed the fighter who shaped his MMA ambition from a young age — none other than Khabib Nurmagomedov.
In a recent appearance on the "Out Cold" podcast, Tsarukyan reflected on his early days training in Russia, sharing how the former undefeated lightweight champion was a source of motivation long before he captured UFC gold.
Khabib Nurmagomedov: A symbol of greatness in Russian MMA
Although Khabib Nurmagomedov wasn't yet a champion when Tsarukyan began his MMA journey, his presence on the international stage left a lasting impression on the young Russian fighter.
“I’ve got a lot of favorite fighters that I watch their fights always to see how they move, how they wrestle,” Arman Tsarukyan said. “But if we say who inspired me when I was young, it was Khabib because he is from Russia and I’m from Russia, as well. I live there. When I started training MMA, he was a goal for us. He wasn’t the champ at that moment, but he was so famous.”
Nurmagomedov would go on to retire undefeated at 29-0 and solidify his place in history as one of the most dominant fighters to ever compete in the UFC. His influence on a new wave of Russian fighters, including Tsarukyan, continues to resonate.
Arman Tsarukyan following the same path, aiming for the same glory
Tsarukyan, with a current record of 23-3, was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev — Nurmagomedov's longtime teammate and current lightweight champion — at UFC 311 in January. However, a back injury forced Arman Tsarukyan to withdraw just a day before the bout.
Still, Tsarukyan remains one of the top contenders in the division and continues to draw comparisons to his hero — not just because of nationality, but due to their shared wrestling-heavy style and calculated aggression inside the Octagon.
Interestingly, even Nurmagomedov himself recognized Arman Tsarukyan’s potential, stating that he saw him as a more formidable challenge for Makhachev than other contenders like Ilia Topuria.
As the young fighter continues to develop his skills and chase UFC gold, his respect for Khabib Nurmagomedov serves as a reminder of how powerful role models can be — especially those who pave the way for future champions.