When Arman Tsarukyan sat down on the PBD Podcast, host Patrick Bet-David did not shy away from asking about the money. The UFC lightweight contender then explained how he earns, spends, and thinks about his finances.
On the content side, Arman made clear that social media attention has started to translate into real dollars. Reflecting on his sponsorship trajectory, he said, “Last year I signed all my contracts, but in one month they’re going to be done and I already, instead of like 500,000, I’m going to make 3 million, 4 million.”
He quickly clarified that the figure was annual, not monthly, but the direction of his earnings was unmistakable.
When the conversation turned to spending, Arman was just as open about the scale of his lifestyle. Explaining the costs that come with being an elite athlete, he said, “I have a big team. I have coaches. I have a lifestyle, family. If you’re going to count everything, it’s going to be 500,000 per month.”
Patrick immediately did the math out loud, responding, “So your lifestyle expense right now is 6 million a year.”
Arman confirmed the estimate with a brief acknowledgment: “About.”
He was then asked whether his income and sponsorship money were enough to sustain that level of spending. Arman indicated that it was manageable and that he had additional financial backing from outside the United States.
He said, “And I have businesses in Russia that I make money. So I always have on my back Russian money. So if I need it, I call it.”
On what the UFC itself has paid him for a single match, Arman provided a straightforward figure. “More than a half a million,” he said.
He also mentioned receiving an unexpected payment from the organization recently, adding, “A couple days ago they send me 42k. I don’t know for what. Maybe for my social media.” He admitted that he did not follow up to find out the exact reason for the payment.
Despite the scale of his expenses, Arman described a surprisingly relaxed approach to UFC contract negotiations. “For me, they send me contract. I sign and give it back. I don’t even watch how much they…” he said, trailing off as he explained his mindset.
When the topic shifted to investments, Arman explained that most of his money goes into opportunities in Russia rather than the United States.
“I invest in mostly in Russia. If you buy commercial or house right here, you got to wait like 20 years. In Russia, you get back in eight years, 8 to 10,” he said.
He added that personal connections in the development sector can significantly accelerate returns, noting that through those relationships, it is sometimes possible to “double your money in one year in Russia.”
For now, he says launching his own brand or product line is not part of the immediate plan. Instead, he is focused on competing while still in his athletic prime. “When I’m going to be like done with UFC sport, when I’m going to be like 37, 38, I’m going to do my products or something,” he said.
Until then, his priorities remain centered on competition and maintaining the lifestyle he has built. “Thank God I got money and my lifestyle is expensive.”
