Arman Tsarukyan continues to stay busy by winning high-profile grappling matches.
The top lightweight contender hasn’t fought since beating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024.
Arman Tsarukyan was supposed to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, but he withdrew from their lightweight title fight at the last minute after suffering a back injury while cutting down to 155lbs.
Now he’s in limbo, waiting to see if he’ll get to fight the new lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, next.
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Benson Henderson result
Arman Tsarukyan squared off against former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at ACBJJ 18.
Their no-gi super fight was the main event of a grappling card in Moscow, Russia, on Friday night.
Tsarukyan went hunting for chokes from the very start of his match with Henderson, who did well to fend them off until the very end.
Ultimately, the number one UFC lightweight contender locked up an arm triangle choke to win the bout.
Henderson was left unconscious on the canvas after refusing to tap out against Tsarukyan.
Thankfully, he quickly regained his senses and shared a friendly embrace with his latest opponent.
Arman Tsarukyan’s recent grappling record
Arman Tsarukyan’s submission grappling run started with a win over Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate.
In May, the Armenian fighter outpointed Makasharip Zaynukov over five rounds at Karate Combat 54.
A few weeks later, Tsarukyan choked out a Bellator legend in his cage return at ADXC 10.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Patricky Pitbull tapped out when he was caught in a rear-naked choke.
Tsarukyan’s latest grappling win over Henderson will hopefully be the last before he returns to the UFC Octagon for a proper fight.
