As a teenager with just a few fights under his belt, Arman Tsarukyan was more concerned with getting his checkmark on Instagram than becoming a champion.
Almost a decade later, ‘Akhalkalakets’ is one big win away from capturing his first bit of UFC gold. Standing in his way is reigning and defending lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev who puts his belt on the line against Tsarukyan at UFC 311.
It’s been a long road for Tsarukyan to land his first title opportunity, but once upon a time, the Armenian wasn’t even thinking about sitting atop the lightweight throne.