Full Breakdown
Arman Tsarukyan Nets $5.7 Million Bet and Posts 10-0 Technical Fall, Setting Up Covington Showdown
6/15/2026, 11:17:50 PM
Dual Triumph: Betting Windfall and Technical Fall
Arman Tsarukyan placed a $1 million wager on UFC Freedom 250, betting that Ilia Topuria would quit and Justin Gaethje would win the undisputed lightweight title. When Topuria retired on his stool and Gaethje secured the belt, the bet paid $5.7 million. On June 13, 2026, Tsarukyan fought former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson at Real American Freestyle (RAF) 10 in St. Louis. He opened a 6-0 lead, then executed two four-point body-lock slams to finish the bout 10-0 by technical fall in 1 minute 22 seconds, preserving his unbeaten streak.
Background & Stakes
Tsarukyan’s bet was a public retort to a year-long feud with Topuria, who once called him a “man-child” and mocked his finances. The rivalry intensified after Topuria publicly mocked Tsarukyan’s wealth, prompting the million-dollar wager. The win reinforces Tsarukyan’s position as a leading lightweight contender, and the technical fall further cements his reputation as a versatile combat athlete. His wrestling dominance fuels anticipation for a July 18 showdown with fellow UFC veteran Colby Covington at RAF 12 in Milwaukee, a bout that could influence the UFC’s title picture.
Data Snapshot
- Bet amount: $1 million
- Payout: $5.7 million
- RAF 10 result: 10-0 technical fall (8 points from two slams)
- Match duration: 1 min 22 sec
Official Statements & Responses
After the bout, Tsarukyan thanked the crowd, said he felt great, and claimed a future fight with Covington would be “easier than Tony Ferguson.” Covington responded that there would be “no more cupcake matchups” and vowed to break Tsarukyan on the mat. UFC president Dana White had earlier suggested a friend placed the bet, a claim Tsarukyan later denied. He also emphasized his confidence in remaining unbeaten across both MMA and wrestling.
Criticism & Opposition
Covington’s challenge frames the upcoming clash as a test of Tsarukyan’s wrestling supremacy, while live-blogger Jed Meshew noted “Tony looks old out there,” underscoring doubts about Ferguson’s competitiveness. His “no more cupcake matchups” remark underscores his intent to prove Tsarukyan’s dominance was limited to the mat.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Feeling great. Thank you for coming,” — Arman Tsarukyan, interview
- “It's going to be easier than Tony Ferguson. This is the easiest money. I'm going to do 10-0 in the first round,” — Arman Tsarukyan, pre-Covington hype
- “I’m going to break him on this mat.” — Colby Covington, press conference
- “Tony looks old out there,” — Jed Meshew, live-blog commentary
What’s Next
Tsarukyan and Covington will meet at RAF 12 on July 18 in Milwaukee. The result could reshape the UFC lightweight title conversation and affect future matchmaking in both MMA and the RAF wrestling circuit. Both athletes view the bout as a stepping stone toward larger opportunities in the UFC.
