Arman Tsarukyan Admits He Didn’t Know Who Bruce Wayne Was Until Fans Started Calling Him Batman

Arman Tsarukyan has fully leaned into a nickname he didn’t even understand when it first started trending, and now it’s become part of his entire fight week identity heading into UFC 331.

Arman Tsarukyan’s Batman Origin Story

Speaking at UFC 331 media day, Arman Tsarukyan revealed just how little he initially knew about the comic book character fans had attached to him. When asked what went through his mind after fans started calling him the “Armenian Bruce Wayne,” Tsarukyan admitted the reference went completely over his head at first.

“I didn’t even know who was the even, Bruce Wayne. Now I know,” Tsarukyan said, crediting the constant fan comparisons for pushing him to actually watch a Batman movie, though he admitted he’s watched it only once and doesn’t remember which film it was, saying his training schedule leaves little time for much else.

The nickname originally caught on among fans as a reference to Tsarukyan’s combination of significant personal wealth and elite fighting ability, mirroring the billionaire alter ego of DC’s Batman. It stuck well enough that Tsarukyan officially retired his longtime nickname “Ahalkalakets,” a reference to his hometown of Akhalkalaki, Georgia, and replaced it with “Batman” ahead of his UFC 331 fight against Mauricio Ruffy.

Arman Tsarukyan’s Batman-Themed Custom Shorts for UFC 331

The transformation didn’t stop at the nickname. Arman Tsarukyan unveiled custom fight shorts for UFC 331 designed specifically around the new persona. Presenting the shorts himself, he pointed out the details built into the design, including a Russian bear, the Armenian mountains and flag representing his heritage, and the Batman logo itself.

“This is the beautiful shorts. It’s black. Here’s a Russian bear. This is the Armenian mountains and flag. The Batman logo. It’s beautiful custom shorts,” Tsarukyan said, thanking the UFC and Venum for the design.

With the nickname now locked in and merchandise to match, what started as a passing fan joke has become a full-blown branding shift for Tsarukyan heading into one of the biggest fights of his career.

Also read: Arman Tsarukyan Says Ilia Topuria Doesn’t Deserve an Immediate Justin Gaethje Rematch: “The Fight Was Not Close”

About The Author

Chynelle Dirksz

A sports enthusiast turned writer, I bring a multi-sport perspective to my coverage. From playing basketball, handball, and throwball to competing as an athlete, sport has always been at the core of who I am, and writing became the natural way to channel that passion.

At To The Lane And Back, I cover Tottenham Hotspur, focusing on transfers, academy developments, and everything in between. I also write about UFC and MMA for UFCDailyNews.com, a site I designed, covering breaking news, fight analysis, and the latest developments in combat sports.

When I’m not writing, I’m probably being outsmarted by my two Labradors.

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