“Dominant performance from Arman Tsarukyan, over the, admittedly, much smaller man,” remarked an observer following the grappling match held on March 11, 2026, at the Hype Brazil event in the Farmasi Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tsarukyan showcased his grappling expertise by defeating Muhammad Mokaev via technical submission with a rear-naked choke at 7:46 of the first round.

This match marked a significant moment for Tsarukyan, a top fighter in the lightweight division, who has been striving for recognition in the competitive world of mixed martial arts. Mokaev, who previously competed as a flyweight in the UFC, was a late replacement for this match, stepping in to face Tsarukyan. The size difference was notable, with Tsarukyan weighing approximately 30 pounds more than Mokaev, which played a crucial role in the outcome.

Tsarukyan’s victory was not just a testament to his grappling skills but also a reflection of his recent form. Since April 2024, he has competed in eight grappling bouts, winning seven of them. This match was part of the Hype Fighting event series, where Tsarukyan aimed to further establish his credentials in grappling after being overlooked for a lightweight title shot in the UFC.

After the match, Tsarukyan expressed gratitude towards the UFC for allowing him to participate, stating, “Tsarukyan thanks the UFC for letting him do this, then says he’s the No. 1 contender, and knows that soon he’s going to hold the UFC belt and the BMF belt.” His confidence was evident as he called out notable fighters Dillon Danis and Charles Oliveira, signaling his ambitions for future matchups.

Mokaev, who had an impressive 7-0 record in the UFC before leaving the promotion in 2024, faced a challenging transition to grappling. Despite his previous success, he was unable to secure a win in this bout, marking his first grappling competition in 2024. The match highlighted the differences in their grappling experience, with Tsarukyan having competed in four grappling events last year alone.

The bout concluded with Tsarukyan applying a rear-naked choke, with one hook in place, effectively putting Mokaev out. The decisive nature of the victory has raised questions about Mokaev’s future in grappling, as he has yet to secure a win in this discipline this year.

As Tsarukyan continues to push for a title shot, the MMA community will be watching closely to see how his career unfolds following this impressive performance. With two RAF events already under his belt in 2026 and a strong grappling record, he is positioning himself as a formidable contender in the lightweight division.

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