Arman Tsarukyan meets Eddie Hearn in Marbella amid Dana White feud

Eddie Hearn posted a photo with the UFC lightweight contender captioned only with a handshake emoji, as his Matchroom Talent stable continues to sign MMA names including Tom Aspinall and Ian Machado Garry.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Fri 30 Oct, 15:10 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Arman Tsarukyan has shared a meal with Eddie Hearn in Marbella, Spain, putting one of the UFC's leading lightweight contenders in the company of Dana White's fiercest rival.

Hearn posted a photo of himself with Tsarukyan and members of their teams on the morning of 30 October. The caption was a single handshake emoji, implying some sort of business had been done, though it gave no detail of what, if anything, had been agreed.

The meeting matters because the British promoter has been recruiting top MMA fighters to Matchroom Talent, his management venture. Former UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall was its first signing, welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry followed, and light-heavyweight contender Paulo Costa is in the process of joining. Turning the Tsarukyan meeting into a deal would hand Hearn the most prominent name the venture has secured.

Matchroom Talent grew out of Hearn's dispute with White, which began when the UFC boss moved into boxing with Zuffa Boxing. It escalated when Zuffa lured Conor Benn, one of Matchroom's biggest stars, away with a mega-money offer, and Hearn responded by launching the management arm with Aspinall.

Tsarukyan has spent the past two years building his profile through streaming and social media while competing regularly in RAF Wrestling and grappling matches. He now has almost 10 million followers across his social media accounts.

Hearn is in Marbella to meet Anthony Joshua ahead of his heavyweight super-fight with Tyson Fury.

In this story

Arman Tsarukyan Tom Aspinall Ian Machado Garry Paulo Costa Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury