Arman Tsarukyan will be back in action this weekend, although his next appearance will not take place inside the UFC Octagon. The lightweight contender has been announced for a submission only grappling contest against Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria under the Hype Fighting banner. The matchup is scheduled for August 1 at Tashir Arena in Yerevan, Armenia.
The event keeps Tsarukyan active during an extended wait for his next UFC assignment, as the Armenian continues to compete across different combat sports disciplines.
Arman Tsarukyan refuses to stay inactive
Even though he remains one of the UFC’s leading lightweight contenders, Tsarukyan has not fought in mixed martial arts since November 2025. His latest UFC outing ended in dominant fashion as he submitted Dan Hooker in the headline bout at UFC Qatar.
That victory came after a lengthy layoff following his memorable win over former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024. Many expected the performance to earn him an immediate title opportunity, but delays in the division have postponed his return to championship contention.
Rather than waiting on the sidelines, Tsarukyan has chosen to stay busy by competing in grappling and freestyle wrestling events throughout 2026. The extra competition has allowed him to remain sharp while expanding his experience outside traditional MMA.
New challenge against Ankit Baiyanpuria
Arman Tsarukyan’s latest challenge comes against Ankit Baiyanpuria, one of India’s most popular fitness creators. Baiyanpuria has built a massive online following of more than 7.5 million Instagram followers through his fitness routines and motivational content.
Although Baiyanpuria does not have a professional MMA background, his popularity has turned the matchup into one of the headline attractions for the upcoming Hype Fighting card.
The contest also marks another appearance for Tsarukyan under the Hype Fighting promotion. He has previously showcased his grappling skills in submission only matches against UFC fighters Shara Magomedov and Muhammad Mokaev.
Saturday’s contest will be Tsarukyan’s tenth competitive appearance of 2026, highlighting just how active he has remained despite not competing in the UFC this year.
Another outing after RAF defeat
Earlier this month, Arman Tsarukyan stepped into the Real American Freestyle Wrestling promotion for a crossover championship contest against former UFC interim welterweight title challenger Colby Covington.
The bout ended with Covington earning a points victory, handing Tsarukyan his first defeat in the promotion after an impressive run of victories.
Instead of taking time away from competition, the 29 year old immediately accepted another assignment. His willingness to compete under different rule sets has made him one of the busiest elite fighters in combat sports this year.
While many top UFC contenders prefer to wait for major fights, Tsarukyan has consistently chosen activity over inactivity.
UFC return remains the main objective
Although his immediate focus is on Hype Fighting, Tsarukyan’s long term goal remains unchanged.
Reports have suggested that a rematch with former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has been finalized for the main event of UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles. The contest is also expected to feature the BMF title.
Should the bout receive official confirmation, it would rank among the biggest lightweight matchups of the year. Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira at UFC 300, making a second meeting one of the division’s most compelling storylines.
The winner is expected to strengthen their claim for a shot at the undisputed UFC lightweight championship, with Justin Gaethje also remaining in the title picture.
Staying prepared for the biggest opportunities
For Tsarukyan, these appearances outside the UFC are more than exhibition contests. Grappling events allow him to refine his technique, maintain his conditioning, and stay in competition without taking the same level of damage as a full mixed martial arts fight.
His meeting with Baiyanpuria offers another opportunity to remain active before what could become the most significant fight of his career.
If the expected Oliveira rematch is officially announced in the coming weeks, Tsarukyan’s appearance in Armenia could serve as the final step in his preparation before returning to the UFC spotlight and resuming his pursuit of lightweight gold.
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