Arman Tsarukyan cashed a $1 million bet on Justin Gaethje that paid out $5.7 million after Gaethje stopped Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, though the wager drew attention given that UFC fighters have been barred from betting on bouts since 2022.
Tsarukyan had publicly shared the bet on a livestream prior to the fight. Dana White subsequently suggested it was Tsarukyan’s friend who placed the wager rather than the fighter himself. Tsarukyan stayed quiet on the matter until hours before the main event.
Let’s make a couple million tonight.
He posted that message alongside a screenshot of the bet slip showing the wager and potential payout.
Tsarukyan had been slated as the backup fighter for UFC Freedom 250 but opted against cutting to 155 pounds for a standby role, with Diego Lopes filling his spot. Tsarukyan instead competed in a wrestling match against Tony Ferguson at RAF 10 in St. Louis on Friday.
With Gaethje now holding the lightweight title, Tsarukyan is the clear next contender after waiting through multiple booking decisions that bypassed him.