TLDR
- Arman Tsarukyan confirmed he will face BJJ expert Mikey Musumeci in a grappling match scheduled for August or September 2026
- The match was arranged following a phone call from a UFC matchmaker
- Tsarukyan plans to compete in another grappling bout beforehand to test new rules
- The announcement comes after controversy from his RAF08 match where he threw Urijah Faber off the stage
- Tsarukyan also revealed plans for a potential WWE appearance around May 30th
Sources: EssentiallySports | HITC | Yardbarker
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has confirmed he will face Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Mikey Musumeci in a grappling match later this year. The bout is expected to take place in August or September 2026.
Tsarukyan accepted the challenge following a phone call from a UFC matchmaker. The top-ranked lightweight revealed details about the upcoming match during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“It is a real thing,” Tsarukyan said about the rumors of facing Musumeci. The Armenian fighter confirmed the timeline for the match is set for late summer.
Before facing Musumeci, Tsarukyan plans to compete in another grappling match. He stated this earlier bout will allow him to test new rules and prepare for the challenge against the BJJ specialist.
Arman Tsarukyan just DOMINATED Urijah Faber at RAF 08
Arman really threw him off the mats and into the commentary team ðŸ˜pic.twitter.com/xkFHfCPHgu
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 19, 2026
Controversy From Recent RAF Match
The announcement comes on the heels of a controversial performance at Real American Freestyle 08 in Philadelphia. On April 18, Tsarukyan faced former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber at Temple University’s Liacouras Center.
During the match, Tsarukyan threw the 46-year-old Faber completely off the wrestling mat. Faber crashed through the commentary desk and onto the floor below, nearly hitting commentator Chael Sonnen.
Tsarukyan secured a tech fall victory over Faber. The win added to his previous RAF victories against Lance Palmer and Georgio Poullas.
When asked about the dangerous throw, Tsarukyan did not apologize. “I forgot this was mat. I thought we were still in the cage,” he explained.
“I wanted to hurt him, to be honest. Because he was talking too much,” Tsarukyan added.
Faber was not injured in the incident and joked afterward that it helped fix an old injury. However, Tsarukyan received criticism from fans and observers who viewed the throw as an unnecessary risk.
Busy Schedule Outside The Octagon
The top lightweight contender has kept himself active in various combat sports outside of UFC competition. His willingness to compete in different formats has drawn attention from promoters across multiple disciplines.
Tsarukyan also outlined other ambitions beyond the grappling match with Musumeci. He revealed plans for a potential appearance with WWE, which could happen around May 30th.
The match against Musumeci represents a different type of challenge for Tsarukyan. Musumeci is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound BJJ competitors in the world and specializes in submission grappling.
No specific venue or promotion has been announced for the Tsarukyan-Musumeci grappling match. Details about the ruleset and weight class have not yet been confirmed.
Tsarukyan said he will use his earlier grappling match to familiarize himself with the rules before facing Musumeci. The preparation bout is scheduled to take place before the August or September timeline for the main event.
