UFC lightweight star Arman Tsarukyan experiences fight week as an intense, high-speed whirlwind, much like any fighter does. Over just seven days, a fighter has to manage weight cuts, travel to the fight location, handle media obligations, complete final preparations, monitor health at weigh-ins, and then step into the octagon. It’s easy to see why fight week overwhelms so many fighters. But the Armenian star has devised a way to not lose focus.

As Thiago Santos shared ahead of his 2019 bout with Jon Jones, fighters rely on very specific light foods and fluids, along with precise strategies, to keep their bodies in top condition. The toll on the body is even greater when international travel is involved. While some fighters struggle to cope with the chaos, Arman Tsarukyan has mastered the art of staying energetic and sharp despite a lack of sleep. Here’s what he had to say about it ahead of UFC Qatar.

How Arman Tsarukyan tricks his body into staying awake during fight night in UFC Qatar

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Arman Tsarukyan shared his fight-week routine, “We went out for a walk. The time is 11:30.Around this time, I’ll probably be fighting, so we need to do something active now to get my body used to not sleeping at this hour. Otherwise, during the fight, I might feel sleepy. Because of that, we’ll walk for about 40 minutes now and then go rest. Let’s go rest. Tomorrow will be a tough day. Tomorrow we have media. Then an open workout, then our own training, and tomorrow my water intake will already be lower. But we’re used to this, so everything will be fine.”

Arman Tsarukyan is determined to make the most of his time away from the sport. He was scheduled to return to the Octagon earlier this year at UFC 311 in January, but an injury and a weight miss forced the Armenian-Russian star to withdraw from his title opportunity against then-champion Islam Makhachev. The setback also disappointed UFC CEO Dana White, who made it clear after the incident that ‘Ahalkalakets’ would now need to prove himself once again to earn a title shot.

Now, the upcoming UFC Qatar event carries immense importance for the Armenian star, especially as he prepares to face Dan Hooker. With that in mind, and a big night ahead in the next 24 hours, Tsarukyan is taking steps to avoid fatigue, deciding to walk around at the same time tonight to adjust his body clock.

The upcoming UFC Qatar event holds special significance for Arman Tsarukyan. His father is by his side for the first time in six years, and a large group of Armenian fans and family are also there to support him. Tsarukyan has a “big team” with him, and this time they don’t need visas to attend. Nevertheless, challenges remain, as Tsarukyan is currently one of the least active fighters in the UFC.

Tsarukyan’s 587-day UFC hiatus becomes a record-breaking streak

Back in the summer, MMA fans witnessed Tom Aspinall hold the interim championship for 500 days, breaking records in the process. Now, Arman Tsarukyan has joined the ranks of history makers. He hasn’t competed in MMA since April 2024, when he defeated Charles Oliveira at the historic UFC 300.

As of November 22, 2025, it will have been 19 months since Arman Tsarukyan last stepped into the cage. Recently, he made history by becoming the longest-ranked UFC fighter, going 587 days without competing. Earlier this year, the ‘Ahalkalakets’ frustrated Dana White after UFC 311 by repeatedly calling for a title shot, which White denied. Instead of returning immediately to the UFC, Tsarukyan stayed active by taking part in three grappling matches during his absence.

With lessons learned from his past setbacks, can Arman Tsarukyan overcome ‘The Hangman,’ Dan Hooker, tomorrow night- an opponent many underestimate but who famously gave Dustin Poirier over 30 stitches in the face? Share your thoughts below.