Arman Tsarukyan did not need long to turn an exhibition-style grappling booking into a highlight.
Tsarukyan defeated Ankit Baiyanpuria by armbar in a submission-only Hype Fighting match on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Tashir Arena in Yerevan, Armenia. Event listings had the card streaming on W.TV, with Tsarukyan and Baiyanpuria placed as the main attraction.
Baiyanpuria entered as an Indian fitness creator and former wrestler, but Tsarukyan controlled the key exchange once the tie-up moved near the ropes. The finish came a little more than two minutes into the bout.
Watch the highlights below.
Arman Tsarukyan just destroyed Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria pic.twitter.com/jzwdUrxzLU
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) August 1, 2026
Slam Turns Into Armbar
The match opened with Baiyanpuria trying to frame and tie Tsarukyan up from the clinch. Tsarukyan kept walking him backward, adjusted his grip, and looked comfortable waiting for the moment to elevate.
That moment came near the ropes. Tsarukyan lifted Baiyanpuria, dumped him to the mat with a heavy suplex, and immediately followed into top control. Baiyanpuria had no time to reset before Tsarukyan isolated the arm.
Tsarukyan slid into the armbar quickly and forced the tap shortly after the slam. The clip made the result look exactly like the matchup suggested on paper: a UFC lightweight contender using the grappling stage to stay active and produce a finish.
Dillon Danis Stays In The Picture
After the win, Tsarukyan kept Dillon Danis in the conversation as a possible future grappling opponent. Danis has already been part of the same crossover wrestling lane this year, and Tsarukyan’s fast finish gives that callout an easy clip to travel with.
The Danis angle also fits Tsarukyan’s recent schedule outside the UFC. He previously steamrolled Tony Ferguson at RAF 10, then later lost to Colby Covington in an RAF title match. Danis, meanwhile, was last tied to the same RAF 10 night through Khamzat Chimaev’s win and the chaos that followed.
Tsarukyan Still Has UFC Business
This result does not change Tsarukyan’s UFC record, but it does keep his name moving while the lightweight title picture develops. He remains one of the most relevant 155-pound contenders and has spent 2026 mixing UFC stakes with outside grappling appearances.
The original Tsarukyan vs. Baiyanpuria booking had already confirmed the Yerevan venue and submission-only rules. The result gave that unusual matchup the obvious ending: Tsarukyan left Armenia with another grappling finish and another name to chase next.
