Arman Tsarukyan ended the year with a championship win, though not the UFC belt he has been chasing. The Armenian lightweight captured the ACBJJ All-Star Title in Moscow after submitting Mehdi Baydulaev with a rear-naked choke in the final seconds of their 10-minute bout.
The grappling match was briefly thrown into chaos when Tsarukyan instinctively threw a knee during a clinch exchange, an illegal move under BJJ rules. Baydulaev responded with a kick, prompting officials to step in. After a short stoppage, the bout was allowed to continue, and Tsarukyan secured the late submission to claim the title.
Tsarukyan has been seeking momentum after missing out on a UFC lightweight title shot earlier this year due to a back injury that forced him out of his scheduled fight with Islam Makhachev. He was also overlooked for the interim title bout at UFC 324 between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje.
The 28-year-old has since confirmed he plans to stay in fighting shape as an unofficial backup for that contest, ready to step in on short notice if needed, as he works to earn his way back into UFC title contention.
