Arman Tsarukyan claimed another victory outside the UFC on December 17, 2025, winning the main event at ACBJJ 20 in Moscow with a late submission finish. The UFC lightweight contender defeated Mehdi Baydulaev via rear-naked choke in the closing seconds of their grappling match, earning the ACBJJ Stars Belt after a match that was briefly disrupted by an early foul.
The contest was held at the Voleybol’naya Arena Dinamo and scheduled for 10 minutes. Tsarukyan, who has competed frequently in submission grappling events this year, entered the match against Baydulaev, a specialist with extensive experience in no-gi competition.
Rules Violation Leads to Temporary Halt
The match took an unexpected turn early when Tsarukyan delivered a knee to Baydulaev’s body during a clinch exchange. While the strike would be legal in mixed martial arts, it is prohibited under ACBJJ grappling regulations. Baydulaev immediately responded with a front kick, prompting the referee to step in and stop the action.
Officials paused the match to address the incident. Tsarukyan was given a formal warning for the illegal technique. After a brief discussion among officials, the match was allowed to continue without further penalties, and both competitors resumed under closer oversight.
The moment introduced tension into the contest and briefly overshadowed what had otherwise been a measured opening phase.
Tsarukyan Adjusts and Takes Control
Once the match resumed, Tsarukyan shifted his focus entirely to positional grappling. He worked methodically from the clinch to the mat, applying steady pressure and limiting Baydulaev’s ability to create offense. The middle portion of the match featured extended positional battles, with Tsarukyan consistently pressing forward.
As time passed, Tsarukyan increased his urgency. In the final moments, he secured back control during a scramble and quickly locked in a rear-naked choke. Baydulaev tapped with roughly 12 seconds remaining, ending the match and confirming Tsarukyan as the winner by submission.
The finish marked one of the latest submissions recorded in ACBJJ main event competition this year.
Another Grappling Win in an Active Year
The victory continues a productive stretch for Tsarukyan in submission grappling. Earlier in 2025, he competed at ACBJJ 18, where he earned a submission win over Benson Henderson. Those appearances have complemented his activity in mixed martial arts rather than replacing it.
Tsarukyan most recently competed inside the Octagon in November, when he submitted Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night. The combination of MMA and grappling appearances has kept him active throughout the year while expanding his competitive resume.
Positioning Moving Forward
No official announcement has been made regarding Tsarukyan’s next UFC bout. On the other hand, he is scheduled to return to grappling competition on December 30, 2025, when he competes under the Hype FC banner. For now, his ACBJJ 20 victory stands as another example of his continued presence across multiple combat sports formats.
