08-05-2025
UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan books ADXC 10 grappling match in May
UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan books ADXC 10 grappling match in May
Arman Tsarukyan is remaining busy as he awaits his next UFC fight.
Tsarukyan will compete against former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Freire in a catchweight grappling match to headline ADXC 10 on May 31 at Voleybol'naya Arena in Moscow, promotion officials announced Wednesday.
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) defeated Makasharip Zaynukov in a 175-pound grappling match this past week at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai. He recently revealed he turned down an offer to face a lower-ranked opponent for the upcoming UFC on ABC 9 headliner July 26 in Abu Dhabi, an offer he found disrespectful.
The unexpected matchup likely came due to the 28-year-old withdrawing from his title fight vs. lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January. A far-from-pleased Dana White said Tsarukyan will have to re-earn his No. 1 contender spot, a condition Tsarukyan was OK with.
