Arman Tsarukyan

Background

Tsarukyan was born into an Armenian family in Akhalkalaki, Georgia, near the Armenian border. Arman's father, Nairi Tsarukyan, is a businessman, engaged in the construction business. Arman is the middle child with an older brother and a younger sister. The family moved to Russia when Arman was three years old to pursue better opportunities in life, eventually settling in Khabarovsk.

In his youth, Tsarukyan had multiple sporting interests. He started freestyle wrestling and fared well in the sport, but got interested in ice hockey later and continued playing it for several years. He played for the junior team of Hockey Club Amur. However, when Arman was approaching adulthood, he was forced to stop hockey in order to aid his father working in construction. In a Q&A on UFC.com, Tsarukyan said he played ice hockey for six years before starting MMA. During his wrestling career, he attained the rank of Master of Sports. Before turning professional, he also earned a second Master of Sports rank in mixed martial arts.

While playing hockey, he had harbored aspirations of reaching the National Hockey League (NHL), but later cited disillusionment with perceived corruption within the Russian junior hockey system as a significant factor in his departure from the sport. In a Q&A on UFC.com, Tsarukyan said he won multiple wrestling and grappling tournaments in amateur competition.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Tsarukyan made his professional debut in mixed martial arts in 2015 against Shamil Olokhanov and won by technical knockout in the first round. He lost his next fight against Alexander Belikh by first-round knockout. Arman continued fighting for mixed martial arts promotions in Russia and Asia, winning his next 12 fights with 9 finishes, including a first round submission victory against Belikh to avenge his first loss. He compiled a 13–1 record prior to signing a four-fight contract with the UFC.

In July 2018, Tsarukyan was one of the winners of the 2018 Tiger Muay Thai Tryouts in Phuket, earning a place on the professional fight team.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Tsarukyan made his UFC debut against future lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 149. The bout featured frequent wrestling exchanges and a high pace. Tsarukyan lost via unanimous decision, and the fight was regarded by some media outlets as one of Makhachev's tougher early-career tests. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.

Tsarukyan faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier on July 27, 2019, at UFC 240 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Tsarukyan was expected to face Davi Ramos on April 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed. The bout was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 172 on July 19, 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Tsarukyan was expected to face Nasrat Haqparast on January 24, 2021, at UFC 257. However, on the day of the weigh-ins, Haqparast pulled out of the fight citing an illness. The promotion negotiated a matchup between Tsarukyan and Matt Frevola. Tsarukyan forfeited 20% of his purse after missing weight, which went to Frevola. Tsarukyan won the fight via unanimous decision.

Tsarukyan faced Christos Giagos on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Tsarukyan faced Joel Álvarez on February 26, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 202. He won the bout via ground-and-pound TKO in the second round. The win also earned Tsarukyan his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award.

Tsarukyan faced Mateusz Gamrot on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38. He lost the closely contested fight via unanimous decision. 15 of 22 MMA media outlets scored the bout in favor of Tsarukyan. Both fighters earned the Fight of the Night award.

As the first bout of his new, four-fight contract, Tsarukyan faced Damir Ismagulov on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Professional grappling career

As a grappler, Tsarukyan competes in ACBJJ , where he is the inaugural holder of the ACBJJ "All Star" title.

Tsarukyan won the expert middleweight division of NAGA Los Angeles on October 1, 2023, submitting all three of his opponents.

Tsarukyan defeated Makkasharip Zaynukov via unanimous decision at Pit Submission Series 12, held as part of Karate Combat 54, on May 2, 2025.

Tsarukyan faced Patricky "Pitbull" Freire in the main event of ADXC 10 on May 31, 2025. He won the match by submission with a rear-naked choke.

Tsarukyan faced former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at ACBJJ 18 in Moscow on September 19, 2025, and won after putting Henderson unconscious with an arm-triangle choke; the official result was ruled a technical decision.

Tsarukyan defeated Mehdi Baydulaev via submission with a rear-naked choke in the final minute of their main event grappling match at ACBJJ 20 on December 17, 2025, in Moscow. He won the "All-Star Title" in this no-gi jiu-jitsu contest, where Baydulaev served as a last-minute replacement.

Tsarukyan faced Sharabutdin Magomedov in a submission-only grappling match at Hype Fighting Championship on December 30, 2025, in Yerevan, Armenia. The match ended in a draw and neither man won the title.

Tsarukyan was scheduled to rematch Georgio Poullas in a submission-only grappling match at Hype Brazil on March 11, 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Poullas later withdrew from the bout, and it was removed from the event lineup. Muhammad Mokaev then stepped in to replace Poullas on two days’ notice. Arman won the bout via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 7:46 of the first round after rendering Mokaev unconscious.

Freestyle wrestling career

Tsarukyan made his freestyle wrestling debut against four-time NCAA Division I All-American Lance Palmer at RAF 05 on January 10, 2026 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. He won the bout via technical fall (10–0) in the first period.

Tsarukyan faced another former NCAA Division I wrestler in Georgio Poullas at RAF 06 on February 28, 2026, at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, United States. He won the match by points (5–3). A post-match brawl ignited after Tsarukyan struck his opponent following his victory.

Tsarukyan rematched Poullas at RAF 07 on March 28, 2026 in the main event and won by decision (9–3).

Tsarukyan defeated two-time NCAA Division I National qualifier Urijah Faber at RAF 08 on April 18, 2026 in the main event and won by technical fall (13–1). The bout was promoted to the main event after Henry Cejudo withdrew from the card due to an injury.

Tsarukyan defeated Keelon Jimison by technical fall (16–5) at RAF 09 on May 30, 2026.

Tsarukyan defeated Tony Ferguson by technical fall (10–0) at RAF 10 on June 13, 2026.

He faced Kuat Khamitov at RAF Georgia on July 11, 2026.

Tsarukyan faced Colby Covington at RAF 11 in the main event for the inaugural RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship on July 18, 2026, losing the match on points (5-3). This fight earned him a Match of the Night award.

Tsarukyan is scheduled to face Dillon Danis for the inaugural RAF Middleweight Crossover Championship on October 3, 2026 at RAF 14.

Fighting style

Tsarukyan has been described as a pressure-oriented fighter who combines wrestling with close-range striking. The same source wrote that he often works at short range and uses forward pressure to steer opponents toward the fence to set up takedowns, and reported that he does not hold a Brazilian jiu-jitsu belt rank.

Personal life

Tsarukyan is the middle child in his family, with an older brother, Artur Tsarukyan, and a younger sister. His father, Nairi Tsarukyan, is a businessman in the construction industry.

Tsarukyan is an Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Christian. Raised in an Armenian household, Tsarukyan frequently carries the Armenian flag into the Octagon to bring international attention to his heritage. He has often emphasized a strong identification with his roots, noting that he is motivated by the support of Armenians worldwide.

Outside of his cultural heritage, Tsarukyan has discussed his training preferences and lifestyle choices; in an interview he stated that he prefers training in the United States over Russia, citing the environment and conditions as more conducive to focused preparation.

Tsarukyan is married to Milena. In early 2020, he became a father for the first time, naming his daughter after his mother; a second daughter was born in 2022.

As of 2025, he is a brand ambassador through a multi-year branding deal between the UFC and Spribe.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Islam Makhachev and Mateusz Gamrot

Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. Christos Giagos, Joel Álvarez, Beneil Dariush and Dan Hooker

UFC.com Awards

2022: Ranked #9 Fight of the Year vs. Mateusz Gamrot

MMA Fighting

2022 Third Team MMA All-Star

Submission grappling

Absolute Championship Akhmat

ACBJJ "All-Star Title" (one time)

Freestyle wrestling

Real American Freestyle

Match of the Night (One time) vs. Colby Covington