Arman Tsarukyan Bets $1M on Justin Gaethje to Upset Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan threw his financial weight behind interim champion Justin Gaethje in a display of confidence for his historic title unification bout against reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria on June 14 at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn. The 29-year-old placed a staggering $1 million bet on Gaethje to defeat Topuria.
Tsarukyan stands to collect a massive $5.7 million payout if Gaethje, who enters as a substantial betting underdog according to BETOnline, pulls off the upset next week.
The wager was placed during a Kick stream alongside former boxing champion Adrien Broner and influencer Deen The Great :
Arman Tsarukyan put $1 MILLION on Justin Gaethje to beat Ilia Topuria at the White House
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 7, 2026
If Gaethje pulls it off, Arman cashes out $5.7 MILLION
(via @DeenTheGreat) pic.twitter.com/5DIWIj9wLm
The scenario began with Tsarukyan originally suggesting a $50,000 wager before being coaxed into going all-in with seven figures.
"I want Ilia," Tsarukyan said before placing the wager, referencing his desire for a future title shot against Topuria.
"But Gaethje, bro. Every time Gaethje fought, everybody thought he was going to lose, but he always won. Even [the] last one," he added, defending his logic for backing the underdog.
The live stream captured the moment of genuine panic that immediately followed the digital transaction.
"Bro, if my dad sees this," Tsarukyan exclaimed, jumping from his seat as the weight of the financial commitment apparently hit him.
"Bro, Gaethje, please. Just knock him out, and the next day, I'll go and get the plane. Down payment on a plane," Tsarukyan pleaded on the stream.
He added that the team should buy Gaethje "a good watch" if the bet cashes. However, the bravado soon faded into a moment of sobering reflection regarding the difficulty of acquiring such wealth.
"It's not easy to make $1 million," Tsarukyan admitted after clicking the confirm button on his phone. "It was easy to click," he concluded, perfectly summarizing the instant regret that followed his high-stakes gamble.
Risk Beyond the Gamble
Beyond the financial risk, Tsarukyan's public wager places him in direct violation of the official UFC Athlete Conduct Policy. The promotion explicitly prohibits fighters from wagering on any UFC matches, a rule reinforced after the organization's tightening of gambling policies in 2022.
The controversy stems from a memo sent by UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell, which stated that violations "could result in criminal charges" in certain jurisdictions and explicitly reminded athletes that contracted UFC fighters "are not exempt from these prohibitions."
The policy also seeks to prevent fight-fixing, which has been a recurring issue in the UFC as recently as January this year, when the lightweight bout between Michael Johnson and Alex Hernandez at UFC 324 was cancelled due to irregular betting activity, according to UFC CEO Dana White.
If the wager is deemed legitimate by regulators, Tsarukyan could face disciplinary action ranging from fines to potential contract termination, though specific punishments have not been publicly detailed.
The timing of the bet also raises questions about Tsarukyan's status as the official backup fighter for the main event. If Gaethje or Topuria were to withdraw, Tsarukyan would be expected to step in, creating a scenario where he would effectively be betting against himself.
The Bitter Rivalry Fueling the Fire
Tsarukyan's gamble on Gaethje stems from a deeply personal feud with the champion, Topuria. The two lightweights have engaged in a vicious war of words, with Topuria recently mocking Tsarukyan's antics outside the cage.
Topuria has promised violence if the two eventually meet, specifically targeting Tsarukyan's jaw with his vaunted boxing power. "I'm going to break his jaw in the first round," Topuria warned during a recent interview with influencer VicBlends, dismissing Tsarukyan's elite wrestling credentials.
Tsarukyan recently called out Topuria on "The Ariel Helwani Show," hoping he gets to fight the champion next.
"I want Ilia because it's a bigger fight. He's talking too much," he told Helwani. "It's good when two young fighters fight with each other."
Keep in mind, however, that Tsarukyan made this comment before his $1 million bet on Gaethje.
The numbers support Tsarukyan's call-out, as the Armenian is riding a three-fight win streak over Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira, and Dan Hooker. Though he pulled out last-minute for his previous title shot against Islam Makhachev due to injury, by all objective metrics, Tsarukyan should be next in line for the title.
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This story was originally published June 7, 2026 at 10:37 PM.