Georgio Poullas just showed Arman Tsarukyan what their RAF rivalry bought him

Georgio Poullas just showed Arman Tsarukyan what their RAF rivalry bought him originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In combat sports, rivalries typically end with rematches, silence, or years of bad blood on social media. Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas chose a different route.

On Tuesday, a clip posted to Instagram showed the duo on a video call — not talking trash, but joking around like old friends. In the video, Poullas walks outside and reveals a bright green Lamborghini he says was funded by their matches. "Look at what you got me, brother," Poullas tells Tsarukyan. "You got a million-dollar punch on you, let me tell you."

Tsarukyan responds with an offer. "I'm going to Philadelphia this weekend. I need a bodyguard," the No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight tells Poullas, referencing his upcoming co-main event against UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber at RAF 08. "I'll pay you good money, brother." Poullas doesn't hesitate. "Your bodyguard's gonna be there. I'm gonna come just to protect you, don't worry. Nobody's gonna get to you."

It's a sharp contrast to where these two stood just weeks ago. At RAF 6 on February 28, Tsarukyan punched Poullas after the bell and triggered a brawl between corners that went viral. In the lead-up to their rematch, Poullas drew more backlash after a comment about MMA personality Nina Drama at the RAF 7 press conference led to an on-camera confrontation.

But the rematch in Tampa on March 28 flipped the narrative. Tsarukyan dominated 9-3, and Poullas responded by walking up to his rival and handing him $10,000 in cash to settle a bet from their first fight, money Tsarukyan showed was going to a child in need