UFC Star Arman Tsarukyan Kicked Off Plane Over Phone Use

Incident occurred before Tsarukyan's fight against MMA legend Urijah Faber

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:21am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented scene of a person being removed from an airplane, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the disruption and tension of the incident.The chaotic removal of a top UFC fighter from a commercial flight highlights the challenges athletes face when traveling to competition.Los Angeles Today

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan was removed from an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, along with two of his friends, due to alleged phone use and opening a tray table during takeoff. The incident occurred just days before Tsarukyan's scheduled fight against MMA veteran Urijah Faber at an upcoming RAF event.

Why it matters

Tsarukyan is the No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight and a rising star in the promotion. Any disruptions or controversies in the lead-up to a major fight can impact an athlete's preparation and performance, potentially affecting the outcome of the matchup.

The details

According to journalist Adam Zubayrev, Tsarukyan and his two friends were kicked off the flight 'simply because someone on the team was on their phone while the plane was taking off. And the second person opened up a table.' American Airlines has not provided an official statement on the incident.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday, April 17, 2026, just days before Tsarukyan's scheduled fight against Urijah Faber on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Arman Tsarukyan

A No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight contender scheduled to fight Urijah Faber at an upcoming RAF event.

Urijah Faber

A veteran MMA fighter and former WEC Featherweight Champion, scheduled to face Tsarukyan at RAF 08.

Ryan Garcia

The current WBC Welterweight World Champion, who challenged Tsarukyan's teammate to a $40,000 bet that he couldn't be knocked out with a body shot.

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What they’re saying

“'Simply because someone on the team was on their phone while the plane was taking off. And the second person opened up a table,' ”

— Adam Zubayrev, Journalist

“'Arman and his team, we can just set up a squabble between whoever on your team, no body shot things, just a fight. Not for $40k for however much, I'm not paying you s—, let's just fight. If any of you can win, I'll give you $100k,'”

— Ryan Garcia, WBC Welterweight World Champion

What’s next

Tsarukyan is still scheduled to compete against Urijah Faber at RAF 08 on Saturday, April 19, 2026, despite the incident on his flight. It remains to be seen if the plane removal will have any impact on his preparation or performance for the fight.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges professional athletes can face when traveling to competition, as even minor disruptions can potentially impact their focus and readiness. It also showcases the ongoing tensions and rivalries between combat sports stars, as seen in the exchange between Tsarukyan and boxer Ryan Garcia.