Career Timeline of Arman Tsarukyan: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Arman Tsarukyan built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Arman Nairovich Tsarukyan is an Armenian professional mixed martial artist, submission grappler, and freestyle wrestler. He competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is currently ranked #2 in the UFC lightweight rankings and #15 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings as of early 2026.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: MMA Professional Debut

In 2015, Arman Tsarukyan made his professional debut in mixed martial arts against Shamil Olokhanov, winning by technical knockout in the first round. He then lost his next fight against Alexander Belikh by first-round knockout.

April 20, 2019: UFC Debut Against Islam Makhachev

On April 20, 2019, Arman Tsarukyan made his UFC debut against Islam Makhachev at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik. Despite a strong performance, Tsarukyan lost via unanimous decision, though the fight was considered one of Makhachev's tougher early-career tests and earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.

July 27, 2019: Victory Against Olivier Aubin-Mercier at UFC 240

On July 27, 2019, Arman Tsarukyan faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier at UFC 240 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

July 19, 2020: Victory Against Davi Ramos at UFC Fight Night 172

On July 19, 2020, Arman Tsarukyan faced Davi Ramos at UFC Fight Night 172, winning the fight via unanimous decision.

January 24, 2021: Victory Against Matt Frevola at UFC 257

On January 24, 2021, Arman Tsarukyan faced Matt Frevola at UFC 257, winning via unanimous decision. Tsarukyan forfeited 20% of his purse after missing weight.

September 18, 2021: TKO Victory Against Christos Giagos

On September 18, 2021, Arman Tsarukyan faced Christos Giagos at UFC Fight Night 192, winning via technical knockout in round one, earning him the Performance of the Night award.

February 26, 2022: Victory Against Joel Álvarez at UFC Fight Night 202

On February 26, 2022, Arman Tsarukyan faced Joel Álvarez at UFC Fight Night 202, winning via ground-and-pound TKO in the second round and earning his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award.

June 25, 2022: Loss Against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC on ESPN 38

On June 25, 2022, Arman Tsarukyan faced Mateusz Gamrot at UFC on ESPN 38. He lost the closely contested fight via unanimous decision. Both fighters earned the Fight of the Night award.

December 17, 2022: Victory Against Damir Ismagulov at UFC Fight Night 216

On December 17, 2022, Arman Tsarukyan faced Damir Ismagulov at UFC Fight Night 216. He won the fight via unanimous decision, marking the first bout of his new, four-fight contract.

June 17, 2023: TKO Victory Against Joaquim Silva

On June 17, 2023, Arman Tsarukyan faced Joaquim Silva at UFC on ESPN 47, winning the bout via TKO in the third round.

October 1, 2023: NAGA Los Angeles Expert Middleweight Division Win

On October 1, 2023, Arman Tsarukyan won the expert middleweight division of NAGA Los Angeles, submitting all three of his opponents.

December 2, 2023: Knockout Victory Against Beneil Dariush at UFC on ESPN 52

On December 2, 2023, Arman Tsarukyan faced Beneil Dariush at UFC on ESPN 52, winning the fight in 64 seconds by first-round knockout. This performance earned him the Performance of the Night award.

April 13, 2024: Victory Against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300

On April 13, 2024, Arman Tsarukyan faced Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 and won the bout by split decision after overcoming multiple submission attempts from Oliveira.

May 2, 2025: Victory Against Makkasharip Zaynukov at Pit Submission Series 12

On May 2, 2025, Arman Tsarukyan defeated Makkasharip Zaynukov via unanimous decision at Pit Submission Series 12, held as part of Karate Combat 54.

May 31, 2025: Submission Victory Against Patricky "Pitbull" Freire at ADXC 10

On May 31, 2025, Arman Tsarukyan faced Patricky "Pitbull" Freire in the main event of ADXC 10 and won the match by submission with a rear-naked choke.

June 27, 2025: Backup for Lightweight Title Bout at UFC 317

On June 27, 2025, Arman Tsarukyan successfully weighed in as the backup for the lightweight title bout between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

September 19, 2025: Victory Against Benson Henderson at ACBJJ 18

On September 19, 2025, Arman Tsarukyan faced former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at ACBJJ 18 in Moscow, winning after putting Henderson unconscious with an arm-triangle choke; the official result was ruled a technical decision.

November 22, 2025: Submission Victory Against Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night 265

On November 22, 2025, Arman Tsarukyan faced Dan Hooker in the main event at UFC Fight Night 265, winning the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the second round. This earned him another Performance of the Night award.

December 17, 2025: Submission Victory Against Mehdi Baydulaev at ACBJJ 20

On December 17, 2025, Arman Tsarukyan defeated Mehdi Baydulaev via submission with a rear-naked choke at ACBJJ 20 in Moscow, winning the "All-Star Title" in this no-gi jiu-jitsu contest.

December 30, 2025: Draw Against Sharabutdin Magomedov at Hype Fighting Championship

On December 30, 2025, Arman Tsarukyan faced Sharabutdin Magomedov in a submission-only grappling match at Hype Fighting Championship in Yerevan, Armenia. The match ended in a draw.

January 10, 2026: Freestyle Wrestling Debut Victory Against Lance Palmer

On January 10, 2026, Arman Tsarukyan made his freestyle wrestling debut against Lance Palmer at RAF 05 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, winning via technical fall (10–0) in the first period.

February 28, 2026: Victory Against Georgio Poullas at RAF 06

On February 28, 2026, Arman Tsarukyan faced Georgio Poullas at RAF 06: Cejudo vs. Faber at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, United States. He won the match by points (5–3).

March 11, 2026: Technical Submission Victory Against Muhammad Mokaev

On March 11, 2026, Arman Tsarukyan faced Muhammad Mokaev in a submission-only grappling match at Hype Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He won the bout via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 7:46 of the first round after rendering Mokaev unconscious.