Arman Tsarukyan is set to showcase his grappling skills once again, as he prepares for an anticipated contest outside of the UFC on December 30 in Yerevan. The Armenian fighter, currently the UFC’s No. 1 lightweight contender, finds himself without a title opportunity despite a string of impressive performances, including a recent dominating submission victory over Dan Hooker.
Tsarukyan’s strong showing against Hooker seemed to propel him toward a potential title match against reigning champion Ilia Topuria. However, with Topuria announcing a temporary hiatus from competition, the UFC has opted to schedule an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for January, leaving Tsarukyan in a waiting position.
UFC president Dana White addressed Tsarukyan’s situation, noting that the fighter’s withdrawal from a planned title fight against then-champion Islam Makhachev earlier this year—a result of a back injury—has affected his path to another title shot. White suggested that Tsarukyan would need to prove himself again to earn that opportunity.
With no UFC fight scheduled for 2025 and his last Octagon appearance in April 2024, Tsarukyan has stayed active on the grappling circuit. From May to September, he scored submission victories over formidable opponents, including Makkasharip Zaynukov, Patricky Pitbull, and former UFC champion Benson Henderson.
On December 30, Tsarukyan will headline a Hype FC event in Yerevan, where he is set to face UFC middleweight Shara Magomedov, known as Shara “Bullet.” This competition will follow submission-only jiu-jitsu rules, which dictate that the bout can only end in a tap-out, with no points or judges involved. The match will be contested at 185 pounds, while Tsarukyan typically competes as a lightweight at 155 pounds.
The announcement of this matchup came soon after Tsarukyan took to social media to express his confusion over the UFC’s decision to feature Gaethje vs. Pimblett as the main event for UFC 324, asking, “Make it make sense.” This ongoing resilience and eagerness to compete despite the circumstances highlight Tsarukyan’s dedication and passion for the sport. As he continues to thrive in grappling, his fans look forward to seeing him reclaim his position for a title shot in the UFC in the future.