TLDR
- Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas will rematch in a submission-only grappling bout on March 11 in Rio de Janeiro
- Their first wrestling match at RAF 6 on February 28 ended with Tsarukyan punching Poullas after the whistle, sparking a brawl
- Tsarukyan claims Poullas used dirty tactics including punches, eye pokes, and finger breaks during the wrestling match
- UFC veteran Matt Brown criticized Tsarukyan’s behavior and warned it could cost him future title shots
- The rematch takes place at Hype Brazil’s event at Farmasi Arena, which also features Jorge Masvidal vs Shara Bullet
Sources: MMA Mania | Bloody Elbow | MMA Fighting
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will face amateur wrestler Georgio Poullas in a submission-only grappling match on March 11 at Hype Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. The rematch comes just 11 days after their wrestling match at Real American Freestyle ended in a chaotic brawl.
Tsarukyan won the wrestling match at RAF 6 in Tempe, Arizona, on February 28. But seconds after the final whistle, he tackled Poullas to the ground and threw a punch that sparked a bench-clearing brawl with both teams rushing onto the mats.
Tsarukyan Defends His Actions
The UFC fighter broke his silence on Monday, claiming he was responding to dirty tactics throughout the match. Tsarukyan told the Ariel Helwani Show that Poullas punched him multiple times, tried to poke his eyes, and attempted to break his fingers during their wrestling bout.
“Maybe 20 times, he’s trying to poke eyes, break my fingers,” Tsarukyan said. “I was waiting on wrestling to be done and that moment, I wanted to punch him right away.”
Tsarukyan said he held back during the match to secure the victory first. “I won the wrestling and I heard the whistle and I said OK, now it’s time,” he explained.
The match featured multiple warnings from the referee as both competitors engaged in rough behavior. Poullas received warnings for slaps and shoves during the contest.
Retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown criticized Tsarukyan’s response to MMA Fighting. “The way that Arman handled it, and the way he waited until the bell rang and waited until Georgio was on his back and kind of defenseless, that was a bad look,” Brown said.
Brown suggested Tsarukyan needs help controlling his temper. “He needs some coaches or some therapy or something on his team,” Brown stated.
Title Shot Concerns and UFC Response
Tsarukyan’s behavior has already cost him opportunities in the UFC. He was denied a title shot after headbutting Dan Hooker at the weigh-ins before UFC Qatar in November 2025.
Brown warned that this latest incident could hurt Tsarukyan’s chances even more. “He’s got to look at himself in the mirror and be like ‘what the f*ck did I do?’ You’ve got to get your priorities straight,” Brown said.
Tsarukyan claims he hasn’t heard from the UFC since the brawl. He expects to get more information when he attends UFC 326 on Saturday.
The UFC fighter insists the organization won’t punish him. “This is not my fault,” Tsarukyan said. “Everybody is on my side now.”
Tsarukyan initially said he had no interest in a rematch with Poullas. “If they want to do a rematch, we’ve just got to fight on the street,” he told the Ariel Helwani Show.
However, the submission-only grappling match is now confirmed for March 11 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event will also feature a grappling match between Shara Bullet and Jorge Masvidal.
Tsarukyan praised RAF for treating him well despite the controversy. “I think they’re cool with me,” he said. “They treat me very well and they’re nice to me.”
The submission-only format means the only way to win is by forcing your opponent to tap out. There will be no points scored for takedowns or positions like in traditional wrestling.
