Arman Tsarukyan places $1M bet on Justin Gaethje to beat Ilia Topuria at UFC White House

Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan put $1 million on Justin Gaethje to upset Ilia Topuria at UFC White House, backing his conviction that the interim champion deserves more respect than the betting market offers.

Tsarukyan made the wager live on Deen The Great's Kick Stream while aboard a boat, initially planning a $50,000 bet before being encouraged to raise the stakes. The Armenian fighter expressed confidence in Gaethje's track record of defying expectations, noting that the interim champ has consistently found ways to win even when favored to lose. "Every time Gaethje fought, everybody thought he's going to lose, but he always won," Tsarukyan said, referencing Gaethje's recent performances.

If his bet lands, Tsarukyan joked about using the winnings for major purchases—including a down payment on a private plane and a luxury watch for Gaethje. However, the excitement quickly gave way to reflection on the size of the wager. "It's not easy to make $1 million," Tsarukyan admitted. "It was easy to click."

Topuria, the reigning lightweight champion, enters the June 14 matchup in Washington, D.C., as a heavy favorite, with most observers expecting a dominant performance. Gaethje, however, has built a reputation for pulling off improbable wins, which is precisely why Tsarukyan—despite publicly stating his preference for Topuria—believes the upset is possible. The bout will serve as the main event of UFC White House and determine the undisputed lightweight champion.