UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan ignited a brawl immediately following a wrestling match on Saturday.
The No. 2-ranked lightweight in the dominant MMA promotion competed in Real American Freestyle against Georgio Poullas and shoved him to the ground right after the conclusion of their match before throwing punches.
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A brawl quickly ensued as members from both teams stormed the mat.
Fights also broke out in the crowd, according to Uncrowned.
Three-time UFC title challenger Colby Covington subsequently escorted Poullas backstage as the crowd had been chanting “USA” in favor of him.
Poullas had been slapping Tsarukyan on the head during the match-up, and Tsarukyan made it known multiple times that it had been bothersome.
Tsarukyan hinted at such again afterward, posting “f–k around and find out” on X.
Arman Tsarukyan prepares to face Dan Hooker of New Zealand in a lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena (ABHA Arena) in Doha, Qatar, on November 22, 2025. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Fellow UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney said that Tsarukyan “be tripping lol like he got roid rage.”
Former UFC welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad replied saying, “Nah it was deserved the other guy was dirty.”
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A compilation of Tsarukyan getting slapped across the head and pushed around during the match prior to the brawl was published online as well.
Tsarukyan is current riding a five-fight winning streak in the UFC following his decision loss to Mateusz Gamrot on June 25, 2022.
Since then, he’s recorded two wins via knockout and one by submission, including his most recent showing from November against Dan Hooker, whom he submitted with a one-arm triangle choke in Round 2, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
The win was his first MMA bout in over a year and a half.
His next bout could be for the UFC lightweight title against champion Ilia Topuria, but nothing is set in stone yet.
