Arman Tsarukyan places $1 million bet on Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje

Arman Tsarukyan has placed a reported $1 million wager on interim champion Justin Gaethje (27-5) to defeat Ilia Topuria (17-0) in their lightweight title unification bout headlining the UFC White House card on June 14. The bet, posted to social media as a video recording, carries +570 underdog odds and would net Tsarukyan $5.7 million if Gaethje prevails. The Armenian-Russian contender even pledged to buy Gaethje a new truck should "The Highlight" win.

The UFC has yet to issue comment on the wager, which may be sponsored content from the betting service Jack.com rather than a genuine bet. If authentic, however, Tsarukyan could face discipline under the UFC's sports betting integrity policy, which prohibits fighters from wagering on any sports, including MMA.

Tsarukyan's public backing of Gaethje reflects real tension in the lightweight title picture. Tsarukyan was widely regarded as the most deserving contender after Topuria claimed the vacant belt against Charles Oliveira when Islam Makhachev moved up to welterweight. Topuria subsequently sidelined Tsarukyan by requesting a defense against Paddy Pimblett instead, then saw Gaethje capture an interim title by defeating Pimblett. Tsarukyan had already withdrawn from a title shot against Makhachev the previous year, compounding his frustration. His million-dollar bet on Gaethje signals both his belief in the interim champion and his desire to see Topuria dethroned by a fighter he apparently respects more.