Key Points:
- Arman Tsarukyan will compete in a submission-only grappling match against Ankit Baiyanpuria on August 1 in Yerevan, Armenia
- Tsarukyan last fought in the UFC in November 2025, defeating Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar
- The top lightweight contender has gone 7-1 in eight RAF appearances, losing only to Colby Covington earlier this month
- No UFC fight has been announced for Tsarukyan despite meetings with promotion officials
- Baiyanpuria is a popular Indian fitness influencer with a large social media following
Sources: middleeasy.com | mmafighting.com
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will compete in a submission-only grappling match this Saturday in Armenia. His opponent will be Ankit Baiyanpuria, a popular fitness influencer from India.
Hype Fighting announced the event on social media earlier this week. The match is scheduled for August 1 in Yerevan, Armenia, where Tsarukyan currently resides.
Tsarukyan holds a top ranking in the UFC’s lightweight division. His last UFC appearance came in November 2025 when he defeated Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar.
Busy Schedule Outside the UFC
The 28-year-old fighter has stayed active outside the UFC octagon. He has competed eight times for RAF, a separate combat sports organization, winning seven of those matches.
His only loss in RAF came earlier this month against Colby Covington. That fight was for the cruiserweight crossover title, and Tsarukyan lost by points decision.
🚨 BREAKING: Arman Tsarukyan will face Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria in a submission-only grappling match on August 1 pic.twitter.com/DTUZcenNUz
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 28, 2026
Before the Covington fight, Tsarukyan had been on an impressive run in the UFC. He defeated former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024.
That victory ended a 17-month layoff for Tsarukyan. His win over Hooker in November marked his return after another lengthy break from UFC competition.
Baiyanpuria has built a large following on social media through fitness content. His background differs greatly from Tsarukyan’s mixed martial arts training.
The submission-only format means the match can only end with a tap out. There will be no judges scoring the contest or decisions awarded based on points.
UFC Future Still Unclear
Tsarukyan recently spoke with MMA Fighting before his RAF match with Covington. He said he planned to meet with UFC officials to discuss his next move in the organization.
As of now, the UFC has not announced any upcoming fights for Tsarukyan. No timeline has been given for when he might return to the octagon.
The grappling match against Baiyanpuria represents another opportunity for Tsarukyan to compete. It also allows him to perform in front of fans in his home country.
Tsarukyan has shown versatility by competing in different formats. His RAF appearances have included various rule sets and weight classes.
The submission grappling format will test different skills than his usual MMA fights. Tsarukyan will not be able to use strikes to set up his grappling attempts.
Fans in Armenia will have a chance to see their fighter compete live. Tsarukyan has built a strong following in the region throughout his career.
The event takes place this Saturday, giving fight fans just days to prepare for the matchup. Hype Fighting has not announced other bouts scheduled for the card.
