Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan recently took part in a wrestling/grappling match against Shara “Bullet” Magomedov at a Hype FC event held in Yerevan, Armenia.
Unlike a traditional MMA bout, this was a pure grappling contest, fought under submission-only rules — meaning there are no judges’ scorecards. The only way to win is by forcing a tap. If no submission occurs within the time limit, the match ends in a draw.
Event details and rules
📍 Location: Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex — Yerevan, Armenia
📆 Date: December 30, 2025
⚔️ Ruleset: Submission-only grappling
⏱️ Time limit: 6 minutes
❌ No points, no judges
This ruleset is common in professional grappling showcases, emphasizing control, transitions, and submission hunting over positional scoring.
How the match played out
Opening phase — Tsarukyan sets the tone
From the opening seconds, Tsarukyan took the initiative:
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Immediate pressure in the clinch
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Constant level changes
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Clear intent to impose his wrestling base
His experience in high-level MMA grappling was evident, as he dictated the pace and positioning early.
Mid-match — takedowns and positional dominance
As the match progressed, Tsarukyan began to assert clear positional control:
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Landed multiple clean takedowns
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Used strong body locks and trips
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Maintained top pressure with smooth transitions
One of the standout moments was a powerful slam, which drew a loud reaction from the Armenian crowd and quickly went viral on social media.
Despite the pressure, Shara “Bullet” Magomedov showed solid defensive awareness, consistently denying submissions and scrambling effectively to avoid dangerous positions.
Final moments — draw by rule
As the clock expired, neither athlete secured a submission.
Because the match was fought under submission-only rules, there was no judges’ decision.
The official result was a draw, even though Tsarukyan was widely viewed as the more active and controlling fighter throughout the match.
What the result means
For Arman Tsarukyan
Although there was no official winner, Tsarukyan:
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Reinforced his reputation as an elite grappler and wrestler
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Demonstrated dominance against a physically strong opponent
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Showed high-level control without overcommitting to risky submissions
The performance further cements his status as one of the most complete grappling-based fighters in the UFC lightweight division.
For Shara “Bullet” Magomedov
Magomedov earned respect for his defensive resilience:
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Survived extended top control
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Avoided submissions against a superior wrestler
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Stayed composed under constant pressure
While less aggressive, his ability to last the full duration without tapping was notable.
Fan and community reactions
Reactions online were mixed but intense:
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Many fans praised Tsarukyan’s technical dominance
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Others criticized the short time limit, arguing that more time would likely have produced a finish
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Some debated the value of submission-only formats compared to MMA rules
Overall, the bout generated strong engagement and discussion across combat sports communities.
What’s next for Tsarukyan
This grappling match does not impact Tsarukyan’s MMA ranking, but it reinforces his skill set ahead of future UFC bouts.
With his wrestling continuing to sharpen, expectations remain high for his next lightweight title opportunity in 2026.
The wrestling/grappling match between Arman Tsarukyan and Shara “Bullet” Magomedov delivered intensity, control, and technical exchanges, but ended in a draw by rule.
Tsarukyan controlled most of the action and showcased elite wrestling, while Magomedov relied on defense and composure to survive the full duration.
Even without a winner, the bout highlighted Tsarukyan’s evolution as a grappler and added another layer to his growing reputation in combat sports.
💬 Do you think Tsarukyan deserved a win despite the draw?
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