Number 2-ranked UFC Lightweight Arman Tsarukyan (23-3-0) and members of his team were removed from an American Airlines flight.
Tsarukyan was en route to RAF 08 (Real American Freestyle), where he is scheduled to headline against UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber this Saturday. The removal reportedly stemmed from a safety protocol dispute that escalated between Tsarukyan’s team and the flight crew.
According to footage and eyewitness reports, a member of Tsarukyan’s entourage allegedly refused to put away their mobile device during the final stages of the take off. Additionally, a second team member reportedly opened their tray table prematurely, leading to a verbal exchange with a flight attendant.
The pilot returned the aircraft to the gate, and Tsarukyan, along with two associates, was escorted off the plane by security. Tsarukyan has used the Real American Freestyle league to stay active while waiting for his next UFC fight.
Arman Tsarukyan was reportedly just kicked off an American Airlines flight because he was “looking at his phone during takeoff” 😬
(via @AdamZubayraev) pic.twitter.com/X2mRiKsCHR
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 16, 2026