Tsarukyan stakes $1 million on Gaethje to upset Topuria at UFC White House

Arman Tsarukyan put $1 million on Justin Gaethje to defeat Ilia Topuria at UFC White House, placing the wager live on Deen The Great’s Kick stream on Sunday — a bet that would deliver an enormous payout if the underdog pulls off one of MMA’s biggest upsets.

Topuria enters the June 14 lightweight title unification bout in Washington, D.C. as a substantial favourite, with most analysts expecting him to dispatch interim champion Gaethje efficiently. Tsarukyan, who has made little secret of his desire to fight Topuria, disagrees with that consensus — and has now committed serious money to that view.

“I want Ilia,” Tsarukyan said before placing the wager. “But Gaethje, bro. Every time Gaethje fought, everybody thought he’s going to lose, but he always won. Even last one.”

The moment unfolded on a boat, with Tsarukyan initially intending to wager $50,000 before being talked into raising the stakes considerably. Once the bet was locked in, he quickly warmed to the idea of the potential windfall.

“Bro, Gaethje, please,” Tsarukyan said. “Just knock him out, and next day, I’ll go and get the plane. Down payment on a plane. We should get him a good watch.”

The mood shifted shortly after, however, as the reality of a seven-figure wager set in. Tsarukyan joked that his father would be calling the moment the clip circulated, before offering a more sober reflection on what he had just done.

“It’s not easy to make $1 million,” Tsarukyan said. “It was easy to click.”

Should Gaethje win, Tsarukyan stands to collect a payout that would dwarf most fighter purses. Should Topuria prevail, as the majority of the MMA world expects, the Armenian contender will be significantly lighter in the pocket — and still waiting for his shot at the champion.