Tsarukyan at a UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/armantsarukyan
Top lightweight (up to 70,3 kg), Arman Tsarukyan showed all his quality in action, but not in the UFC, but in the main fight of ACBJJ 20. Last Wednesday (17), in Russia, the Armenian faced Mehdi Baydulaev in grappling and submitted him. In this way, the athlete took home the symbolic 'All-Star' belt.
The duel was full of drama and controversy. Early on, Tsarukyan landed a knee strike to Baydulaev's midsection, a move considered illegal in grappling. Angered by the attack, the Russian responded by kicking the UFC fighter. The tension between the athletes was so high that members of their teams also became agitated outside the mat.
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As punishment, the Armenian received a yellow card for the foul, but he didn't seem fazed. Experienced and skilled in grappling, Tsarukyan dominated his opponent and, after taking his back, submitted him with a rear-naked choke in the final seconds.
It's worth highlighting that this was Tsarukyan's fifth victory in 2025. In the UFC, the Armenian put on a show and submitted Dan Hooker in November. In grappling competitions, the athlete also stood out, submitting Ben Henderson , Patricky Pitbull , and now Mehdi Baydulaev. The fighter will compete for the last time this season against Shara Magomedov for 'Hype FC' on December 30th in Armenia.
Volkov also wins.
Besides Tsarukyan, Alexander Volkov was another UFC fighter who won at ACBJJ 20. Known for being an elite striker, the giant Russian, standing at two meters tall, showed he's no pushover in grappling and dominated Evgeniy Goncharov, winning by points.
Tsarukyan's illegal knee and Baydulaev's kick
Things got heated for a moment here at ABCBJJ20 👀 pic.twitter.com/8uahEVAAi7
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) December 17, 2025
Tsarukyan finishes off Baydulaev
Arman Tsarukyan gets his hand raised at ACBJJ20 in Moscow, submitting Mehdi Baydulaev with a smooth rear-naked choke after a dominant grappling display pic.twitter.com/y56hoPnAao
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) December 17, 2025
Tsarukyan presents his father with the belt.
🏆🥹 Arman Tsarukyan passes the ACBJJ championship belt to his father after his victory over Mehdi Baydulaev in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/5hq4PWV8Hp
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) December 18, 2025
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Read More about: Alexander Volkov, Arman Tsarukyan, Grappling, fight, MMA, Tsarukyan, UFC, Wolves
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