Arman Tsarukyan recently offered a candid perspective on Khamzat Chimaev’s demeanor away from the cameras, detailing how the fighter can drastically alter his personality in a short period. This observation quickly gained traction within the MMA community.
During an appearance on the PBD Podcast with Patrick Bet-David in late April 2026, Tsarukyan discussed his career, his relationship with UFC management, and his interactions with fellow fighters, including Chimaev.
Khamzat Chimaev: A Spectrum of Behavior, According to Arman Tsarukyan
When asked about Chimaev’s personality outside of public view, Tsarukyan stated, “Khamzat can be the funniest guy ever, and in one hour he can be the scariest guy ever. He can change his mood so fast. One day you can’t even talk to him, and the other day he doesn’t stop talking for 3-4 hours.”
Tsarukyan acknowledged that he experiences similar mood fluctuations, which friends have also pointed out. He attributes these shifts to the demanding lifestyle of a fighter, including intense training camps and weight management. Despite these perceived personality extremes, Chimaev and Tsarukyan share a connection, often seen interacting positively on social media. Tsarukyan even cornered Chimaev for his middleweight title victory against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025. Chimaev maintains an undefeated 15-0 record, with notable recent wins over Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman.
Tsarukyan, with a 23-3 record in the lightweight division, is coming off a submission win against Dan Hooker in November 2025. His recent successes include victories over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 and a knockout of Beneil Dariush.
Chimaev’s volatile moods have been linked to past health challenges, including immune system issues that led to fight cancellations and adjustments to his training. He has openly discussed experiencing depression in 2024, citing poor nutrition and setbacks. The birth of his child and the establishment of a new support team involving doctors and nutritionists have reportedly helped stabilize him, leading to a calmer disposition in preparation for bouts such as UFC 308.
These comments come at a time when Chimaev is the reigning middleweight champion and Tsarukyan is making his mark in the lightweight division. Both fighters, with backgrounds rooted in wrestling and challenging circumstances – Tsarukyan from Armenia and Chimaev from Chechnya – maintain a supportive public relationship while sharing clips of their interactions on platforms like X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Khamzat Chimaev is scheduled to defend his UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Chimaev enters the fight with a 15-0 record, holding victories over Dricus du Plessis, Robert Whittaker, and Kamaru Usman. Strickland, 30-7, aims for a second title reign, following wins against Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. The matchup is anticipated to be a clash between Chimaev’s wrestling prowess and Strickland’s jab-focused boxing.
