![Fans react to photograph of Arman Tsarukyan (left) and Vladimir Putin (right). [Images courtesy: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/2194d-17370179240096-1920.jpg)
![Fans react to photograph of Arman Tsarukyan (left) and Vladimir Putin (right). [Images courtesy: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A throwback photo of UFC lightweight title challenger Arman Tsarukyan posing with Russian President Vladimir Putin has surfaced online, sparking a mix of reactions from fans. The image shows a young Tsarukyan holding his MFP lightweight championship belt while standing beside Putin.
Before joining the UFC in 2019, Tsarukyan competed extensively in the Russian MMA circuit, particularly with the MFP promotion, where he captured and defended the lightweight title.
Check out young Arman Tsarukyan posing with Russian President Vladimir Putin below:
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Fans on social media were quick to react with humor and commentary. One quipped:
“Get ahead of those Russian tax problems”
Another user praised Putin, writing:
“Putin is a real one!”
Another joked, referencing Khabib Nurmagomedov’s tax issues:
“Putin whispered in his ear "Don't be a Khabib and pay your taxes"
Check out some of the fan reactions below:
![Fans react to an old photograph of Vladimir Putin and Arman Tsarukyan together. [Screenshot courtesy: Comments section of @DovySimuMMA's post on X]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/03bc6-17370168242884-1920.jpg)
Arman Tsarukyan reveals practicing "new technique" ahead of UFC 311
Arman Tsarukyan is ready for his second clash with Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 this Saturday, aiming to dethrone the reigning lightweight champion.
Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Tsarukyan hinted at a secret technique he has been perfecting, promising it will surprise Makhachev:
"Ah, my new technique. How can I share with you, but this is a good move. Good things and he’s going to be surprised. I’ve never done it before. I train every day, I want to find something new, to do something that I’ve never done before."
Check out Arman Tsarukyan's comments below (33:11):
Since their first fight in 2019, where Tsarukyan lost by decision, he has evolved significantly, securing wins against top contenders like Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. He credits his success to constant improvements and the experience gained from high-level competition.
Makhachev, with a dominant 26-1 record, seeks his fourth title defense.
