UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is known for many things, and his workout ethics are one of them. He recently posted a video of himself in a garage workout, which is designed to be as intense as possible. 

Tsarukyan is seen putting in his 100% with kettlebells as he trains his explosive squatting movement. 

“In garage, always hard,” stated the caption. 

Tsarukyan is profusely sweating in the video, with this movement seeming to be in conjunction with other movements. This version of a kettlebell squat would train his leg endurance and drive, things that are important in the fighting industry, especially for a wrestling-based MMA fighter.  

This will help him to get up from a pinned position, take the weight of opponents on his back without tiring much, and also be a great movement to strengthen his sprawl.

Although there is no official announcement of his return, his latest training clip caused a stir amongst fans. 

The Armenian UFC fighter was expected to fight against Islam Makhachev for his first-ever lightweight title at UFC 311 at the start of the year on Jan 19 2025. However, things took an unexpected turn.

A back injury led Tsarukyan to withdraw from the competition just one day before the fight. Investigation later revealed severe lower back and sciatic nerve issues. 

He has recovered since then and has made his comeback against Dan Hooker on Nov 22, which he won via submission in round 2. For now, he is awaiting his next opponent, which, as per rumors, will be the winner of Ilia Topuria vs.Justin Gaethje at the UFC White House.

How Arman Tsarukyan Prepares for His UFC Fights

Instead of slower, controlled lifts that mainly enhance muscle growth and improve aesthetics, as per GH UFC Workouts on YouTube, Tsarukyan’s pre-fight workouts are designed for athletic performance. These explosive-style workouts focus on real movement, agility, and conditioning.

He keeps his mornings intentionally light with an hour-long session of movement-focused exercises. The low-intensity technical drilling wakes up his nervous system and gets it ready for the day without burning a huge amount of calories right off the bat.

After that, he follows a heavy breakfast and a nap, as he heavily prioritizes rest and recovery.

It is only during midday that he finally trains intensively, taking advantage of his high energy levels and quick reaction time. These afternoon sessions feature live wrestling rounds with his trainer, high-intensity sparring, and conditioning.

He squeezes in another nap, allowing his muscles to properly recover, before starting another evening training session. These sessions focus more on controlling sparring, drilling, and technical refinement, rather than intensity.

He ends his day with a long walk after dinner, which calms his nervous system and aids digestion. He has often talked about the importance of sleep, revealing that his goal is to sleep for 10 to 11 hours a day, broken up between multiple naps throughout the day.

These fast-paced circuits help improve balance and endurance, while prioritizing rest and sleep help regulate his nervous system; both of which are crucial for UFC fights.

Clearly, Tsarukyan is staying ready for whatever comes in the next UFC lightweight division.

What are your thoughts on Tsarukyan's pre-fight routines?

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Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi