Arman Tsarukyan

Overview

Both of Arman Tsarukyan's UFC losses went the distance, and neither ended with a finish against him. He has not been stopped in 13 UFC fights, and his UFC record is 11-2.

The nickname is Ahalkalakets. The division is lightweight. He is not a champion, but he carries a six-fight win streak, the longest of his UFC career, and that run includes two wins over elite opponents.

His 24-3 professional record covers all promotions. The UFC portion is the 11-2.

UFC Career

He debuted in April 2019 against Islam Makhachev and lost a unanimous decision, going the full three rounds. Our model rates Makhachev as a strong opponent for that night. It was a tough opening assignment, and Tsarukyan answered with three straight unanimous decisions over Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Davi Ramos and Matt Frevola.

Then the finishes arrived. He stopped Christos Giagos in the first round, 2:09 in, and Joel Alvarez in the second at 1:57.

The second loss came in his first UFC main event. He went five rounds with Mateusz Gamrot and dropped a unanimous decision.

He rebuilt from there, beating Damir Ismagulov by decision and stopping Joaquim Silva in the third. That set up the run that defines his career. In December 2023 he headlined against Beneil Dariush, an elite opponent, and finished him in the first round at 1:04. In April 2024 at UFC 300 he took a split decision over Charles Oliveira, another elite opponent.

He headlined again in November 2025 and submitted Dan Hooker in the second round, then knocked out Mauricio Ruffy in the first round at 4:56 at UFC 331.

Six straight wins. Two of them main events.

Fighting Style

Tsarukyan is a wrestling-based fighter who also lands plenty. He is a busy, accurate striker who absorbs very little in return, and his defense against strikes is about what you'd expect from the UFC average. His takedown game is the real separator. He shoots often, and opponents have a hard time putting him on the mat.

He rarely hunts for submissions. His only UFC submission win came in the second round, and it's the lone one of his six finishes that didn't end in a KO or TKO.

The finishing pattern is a striker's. Five of his six UFC finishes are KO/TKOs: three in the first round, one in the second and one in the third. Five of his 11 wins went to the scorecards, and both of his losses did too.

Notable Wins

• Beneil Dariush — KO/TKO, round 1 (1:04), UFC Fight Night: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan (2023)
• Charles Oliveira — split decision, round 3, UFC 300: Pereira vs. Hill (2024)
• Dan Hooker — submission, round 2 (3:34), UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs Hooker (2025)
• Mauricio Ruffy — KO/TKO, round 1 (4:56), UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 (2026)

Quick Facts

• Division: Lightweight
• UFC record: 11-2 (5 KO/TKO, 1 submission, 5 decisions)
• Professional record, all promotions: 24-3-0
• UFC debut: April 2019
• Stance: Orthodox
• Height and reach: 5'7", 72.5" reach
• Team: Syndicate MMA, Las Vegas, NV
• Born: Georgia