Arman Tsarukyan added another accomplishment to his combat sports resume on December 17, 2025, securing a submission victory at ACBJJ 20 in Moscow. The UFC lightweight contender captured the ACBJJ Stars Belt with a last-minute rear-naked choke over Mehdi Baydulaev, though the bout was briefly halted earlier due to an illegal strike that created confusion inside the arena.
The 10-minute grappling match took place at the Voleybol’naya Arena Dinamo and served as the main event of the Absolute Championship Berkut Jiu-Jitsu card. Tsarukyan entered the contest as the more recognizable mixed martial artist, while Baydulaev brought an extensive background in submission grappling.
Illegal Knee Brings Temporary Stoppage
Early in the match, Tsarukyan and Baydulaev engaged in aggressive clinch exchanges. During one sequence, where Mehdi accidentally landed a slight elbow strike, Tsarukyan instinctively threw a knee to the body, a legal technique in MMA but prohibited under ACBJJ grappling rules. Baydulaev responded with a front kick, escalating the situation and forcing the referee to intervene.
Officials paused the contest to assess the situation. Arman was issued a formal warning rather than a disqualification. After brief deliberation, the match resumed, allowing both competitors to continue under closer supervision.
The moment highlighted the challenges that arise when elite MMA fighters transition to pure grappling rule sets, where instinctive striking reactions can result in penalties.
Tsarukyan Controls Late Exchanges
Following the restart, Tsarukyan adjusted his approach and focused on positional control. He maintained pressure throughout the middle portion of the match, repeatedly working to advance position while Baydulaev defended and attempted to create scrambles.
As the clock wound down, Arman intensified his attack. With less than 15 seconds remaining, he secured back control during a transition and locked in a rear-naked choke. Baydulaev tapped with approximately 12 seconds left, officially ending the contest and awarding Tsarukyan the ACBJJ Stars Belt.
The finish capped a composed final sequence after an otherwise tense and uneven opening phase.
Continued Success in Submission Grappling
The ACBJJ 20 victory marks Tsarukyan’s second notable grappling win of 2025. Earlier this year, he submitted Benson Henderson at ACBJJ 18, further establishing his effectiveness outside the UFC’s Octagon.
Tsarukyan has also returned to active competition in MMA, most recently submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night in November. His ability to secure finishes across different rule sets has become a defining aspect of his current run.
Moving Forward
Despite being ranked near the top of the UFC lightweight division, Tsarukyan is not scheduled to fight yet. While his next UFC assignment has not been announced, Tsarukyan continues to stay active through high-level grappling competitions.
He is scheduled to compete again on December 30, 2025, in a submission match under the Hype FC banner, continuing a busy stretch that has kept him in regular competition throughout the year.
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