UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan added another victory to his resume as he secured a unanimous decision win in his special appearance at the Pit Submission Series grappling match. The closely contested bout showcased Tsarukyan’s tenacity, though the victory didn’t come easily.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your winner from the red corner, Armand Sarayokin!” announced the event officials, using a variation of Tsarukyan’s name. “Armand Sarayokin gets it done here in our Pit Submission Series. The closer of the takedown attempts, a narrow victory, but a victory nonetheless.”
The match itself wasn’t the most action-packed affair, according to observers. Tsarukyan managed one takedown during the contest, though his opponent quickly returned to his feet within seconds. Much of the match consisted of positioning and control battles that failed to deliver spectacular moments for spectators.
This exhibition match comes during an interesting period in Tsarukyan’s UFC career. The lightweight contender has been vocal about his championship aspirations, particularly regarding the current champion Islam Makhachev’s potential move up to welterweight.
“Now [Islam] is deciding whether he will stay at 155 or move to 170. The situation is unclear now,” Tsarukyan recently stated. “Right now I am not in the title race, because I got injured, my turn has passed, but if there is [a fight] for the vacant title – I will fight for the vacant title.”
Tsarukyan added that his next UFC appearance could be on the horizon: “In mid-May, it will be clear when my next fight will be… Of course, I would like to fight. Or have a rematch with Oliveira, because he is [ranked] #2. Or with Gaethje – a new name. Win calmly and be in the title hunt again.”
For now, the Armenian-Russian fighter returns to his contender status in the UFC’s lightweight division, where he currently sits in the top five of the rankings. While this grappling victory may not have been his most impressive performance, it allowed Tsarukyan to stay active while awaiting his next UFC booking.
Fans will now be watching closely to see who the UFC matches him against next as he continues his pursuit of lightweight gold.
