Arman Tsarukyan rejected the idea that he is the UFC’s richest fighter and pointed instead to Conor McGregor. He also said Alex Pereira, Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev earn more from fighting than he does.
The lightweight contender discussed his income in a translated Vpiska interview released before his UFC 331 fight with Mauricio Ruffy. Tsarukyan separated his own earnings from his family’s wealth and compared his UFC and sponsorship income with some of the promotion’s biggest names.
Tsarukyan Picks McGregor And Explains The Gap
Asked whether he would call himself the richest fighter in the UFC, Tsarukyan answered:
“No, absolutely not.”
When the interviewer asked who held that distinction, Tsarukyan named McGregor and referred to the former two-division champion’s Proper No. Twelve whiskey business:
“Conor McGregor. His whiskey alone… When he sold the company for $600 million, I think.”
Tsarukyan said that status may be possible for him later, but not at this stage of his career:
“Maybe eventually I’ll be the richest fighter in the UFC when I retire. But right now, not even close.”
Arman Tsarukyan says he is NOT the richest UFC fighter as Conor McGregor has more wealth than him:
"Even fighters like Alex Pereira make 2-3 times more than me from fights and sponsorships. Islam Makhachev too, he is a millionaire."
When he was asked about family money:
"Family is family. I'm me."
Video: Vpiska pic.twitter.com/RC6gfuZ3Mm
— Full Mount MMA (@MMAFullMount) August 18, 2026
Pereira, Jones And Makhachev Enter The Comparison
Tsarukyan then compared his own fight and sponsorship income with Pereira’s:
“Anyway, I tell you what. UFC fighters, say, Pereira earn two, three times more than me, from the UFC and from sponsorships.”
He also named Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev among the fighters above him financially. Asked specifically whether Makhachev was richer, Tsarukyan replied:
“Yes, he makes big money off of fights.”
The interviewer noted Tsarukyan’s side businesses and wealthy family. Tsarukyan drew a firm distinction between family resources and money he considers his own:
“Family is family, and I’m me.”
The comparison arrives with Tsarukyan preparing to face Ruffy in the UFC 331 co-main event. Tsarukyan has said UFC executive Hunter Campbell promised him a lightweight title shot if he wins.
Pereira’s earnings comparison reflects the Brazilian’s rapid climb into championship and marquee-fight territory. His profile has also fueled Dana White’s public discussion of Pereira’s legacy. Makhachev entered the conversation after extending his UFC winning streak at UFC 330.
