Arman Tsarukyan set to face Ankit Baiyanpuria in grappling match
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 5:00 PM
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
Arman Tsarukyan will compete against Ankit Baiyanpuria in a submission-only grappling match on Saturday in Armenia. This event has been organized by Hype Fighting and marks Tsarukyan's first match since defeating Dan Hooker in UFC Qatar last November. He has remained active in other competitions, fighting eight times for RAF, with a recent loss to Colby Covington in a cruiserweight crossover title match. Following this grappling bout, Tsarukyan is expected to meet with UFC officials next week to discuss his future in the sport.
- •Tsarukyan vs. Baiyanpuria set for Saturday in Armenia
- •Last UFC match was against Dan Hooker in November
- •Tsarukyan has been active in RAF, with a recent loss to Covington
- •Meeting with UFC officials planned for next week
- •Event organized by Hype Fighting
- 5:00 PMYahoo Sports — Arman Tsarukyan’s next bout announced — and it’s not in the UFC
- 5:00 PMMMA Fighting — Arman Tsarukyan’s next bout announced — and it’s not in the UFC
"DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at ABHA Arena on November 21, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Arman Tsarukyan is competing once again, but it won’t be in the UFC or RAF. Hype Fighting announced via social media that the top-ranked UFC lightweight contender is set to face Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria in a submission-only grappling match in Armenia. The event is set to take place this Saturday in Armenia. View this post on Instagram Tsarukyan hasn’t competed in the octagon since this past November, when he destroyed Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar. That bout ended a 17-month layoff following his UFC 300 win over former champ Charles Oliveira in April 2024. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting prior to his RAF 11 match with Colby Covington, Tsarukyan said he planned on meeting with the UFC that following Monday to discuss his next move. As of now, nothing has been announced. But Tsarukyan has kept himself quite busy in the meantime, including competing eight times for RAF, going 7-1, with the lone loss coming against Covington, losing via points earlier this month for the cruiserweight crossover title.
"Arman Tsarukyan competes again on Saturday
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 5:00 PMArman Tsarukyan’s next bout announced — and it’s not in the UFC
Arman Tsarukyan competes again on Saturday
- MMA FightingJul 28, 2026, 5:00 PMArman Tsarukyan’s next bout announced — and it’s not in the UFC
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at ABHA Arena on November 21, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Arman Tsarukyan is competing once again, but it won’t be in the UFC or RAF. Hype Fighting announced via social media that the top-ranked UFC lightweight contender is set to face Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria in a submission-only grappling match in Armenia. The event is set to take place this Saturday in Armenia. View this post on Instagram Tsarukyan hasn’t competed in the octagon since this past November, when he destroyed Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar. That bout ended a 17-month layoff following his UFC 300 win over former champ Charles Oliveira in April 2024. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting prior to his RAF 11 match with Colby Covington, Tsarukyan said he planned on meeting with the UFC that following Monday to discuss his next move. As of now, nothing has been announced. But Tsarukyan has kept himself quite busy in the meantime, including competing eight times for RAF, going 7-1, with the lone loss coming against Covington, losing via points earlier this month for the cruiserweight crossover title.
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