Arman Tsarukyan is a lightweight competitor signed to the UFC who has taken mixed martial arts by storm, having an impressive record both in grappling and striking. Since his 2019 UFC debut, Tsarukyan appeared as a person with much athleticism, resilience, and tactical mindset inside the Octagon. Given that Tsarukyan sent takedowns to all top contenders and now has lookouts for the lightweight title, he is in the spotlight.
Early Career and Entry to the UFC
Born on October 11, 1996, in Akhalkalaki, Georgia, Arman Tsarukyan came into MMA with a background in wrestling and kickboxing and turned pro in 2015. His technical skill and versatility brought him to the attention of the UFC, and he made his debut in April of 2019. That first fight-a tough ask against top contender Islam Makhachev-showcased his potential, even in defeat.
Though he lost via unanimous decision, Tsarukyan showed a frenzied grappling skillset as he pushed Makhachev into a grapple-heavy fight that won both men praise and put Tsarukyan on the path to the top of the lightweight division.
Key Fights and Rising Reputation
During the years, Tsarukyan has been consistent with his capabilities and ambitions by pulling out astonishing victories against skillful opponents such as:
Defeat to Damir Ismagulov: At the end of December 2022, Tsarukyan unanimously defeated Damir Ismagulov in what was a pretty strategic fight, regarding striking and wrestling. He proved that night he was able to manage fights at the top level, and his profile within the division went up.
Joaquim Silva Defeat: In June 2023, Tsarukyan faced Joaquim Silva, setting a technical knockout in the third round. This only advanced his considered skill in mixing striking with grappling, now making him a versatile threat within the lightweight ranks.
The win against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300: Undeniably, one of the most important was against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira this past April 2024. Winning by split decision, Tsarukyan proved resilient and technical in outpointing Oliveira to position himself as a top contender for the lightweight title.
By winning each of those, Tsarukyan cemented his status as a strategic and adaptive fighter-one who could both traverse high-pressure fights and capitalize on his opponents’ weaknesses to full effect.
Fighting Style and Key Strengths
The fighting style of Arman Tsarukyan is some sort of mix between wrestling and judo with striking, hence he is quite even and can easily switch between grappling and striking. Here go some strengths:
Grappling Skills: With a wrestling-heavy background, Tsarukyan has some really strong takedowns and proficient ground control that enable him to dictate pace and direction in his fights. The ability to control opponents on the ground was evident in his fight with the more seasoned grappler, Islam Makhachev, where Tsarukyan held his own.
Impressive Versatility in Striking: The Tsarukyan striking has come a long way, too; it is very precise and strong. His recent fights have really shown his ability to outstrike opponents well and transition nicely into striking and grappling.
Cardio and Adaptability: Tsarukyan, being an accomplished fighter in terms of cardio, is easily capable of holding up a high tempo through the rounds, and readjusts his method to the pattern of his fighting opponent. In fact, this has been his strong point in times of recent wins against tough opponents like Oliveira and Ismagulov.
Rivalry with Islam Makhachev
So far, Tsarukyan’s career has been deeply intertwined with the rivalry against the current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Their initial fight in 2019 saw Tsarukyan being a part of an extremely competitive battle. Though he lost, he was put under the spotlight thereafter. Since then, Tsarukyan has been improving in rapid succession and voicing his desire to get the rematch for the title.
Coming into 2024, the title belongs to Makhachev, who has been doing a pretty good job defending it, but Tsarukyan’s continued rise to prominence and recent wins have stirred excitement for a possible rematch. He is confident that in a future bout, he can “outsmart” Makhachev, which signals his intention to take the lightweight belt on his growth, strategically, since the last time they faced off.
Training and Preparation
That commitment to being one of the most well-rounded finds its way into Tsarukyan’s training regimen, based out of Las Vegas with Syndicate MMA, where he trains under a team of coaches and sparring partners-Cochran included-who refine his grappling, striking, and conditioning. Well-rounded, to Tsarukyan, means bringing cardio, strength training, and technical drills together to stay sharp across all game fronts.
Tsarukyan has mentioned in different interviews that he works harder on his weaknesses, so nobody knows his game inside the Octagon, and that is what makes him unpredictable and hard to counter. His training is oriented toward adapting to any fighting style; that allowed him to pass with good results against different types of fighters.
What’s Next for Arman Tsarukyan?
A win against Oliveira and an ever-growing chorus of unanimous support from fans and analysts makes one clear point-the lightweight title shot. While Islam Makhachev is recovering from an injury, there is anticipation for their rematch, which might as well happen as early as 2025 and would be defining for Tsarukyan’s career. Outside of the Octagon, Tsarukyan has an extremely active following on social media platforms, where his following fans religiously follow his journey and thoughts about training. This desire to perform better along with charisma has earned him a soft spot in the hearts of fans, especially for those with a greater appreciation for the more strategic elements of MMA and sportsmanship.
Conclusion
Arman Tsarukyan’s road into the UFC has been one of perseverance, discipline, and improvement that never stops. With a well-rounded fighting style and an unyielding drive to become champion, Tsarukyan is on the cusp of lightweight stardom. Be it in the next fight, where he gets the title, or be motivated to move further up in the rankings, one thing is certain: Arman Tsarukyan is a name to key in on in the UFC, possibly the future of the lightweight division.
FAQs
What are Arman Tsarukyan’s fight stats and records?
As of the latest records, Tsarukyan has accumulated 20 wins, with 9 by knockout, 5 by submission, and 6 by decision.
What is Tsarukyan’s next fight, and why is it significant?
Tsarukyan’s next scheduled fight is against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024.
Who is Arman Tsarukyan?
Arman Tsarukyan is a professional MMA fighter in the UFC’s lightweight division, competing under the Armenian flag.
