Arman Tsarukyan and Shara Magomedov have a new opponents for their upcoming submission-only grappling matches in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 11. The top-ranked UFC lightweight contender faces former UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev in the main event of Hype Brazil, while “Bullet” takes on Edson Barboza.
Hype Fighting has yet to announce weight classes for Tsarukyan vs. Mokaev and Magomedov vs. Barboza, both matchups that would be separated by 30 pounds in MMA.
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Tsarukyan was originally slated to face Georgio Poullas on the Rio event, running it back after a wrestling match that ended up in a brawl, but that rematch is now booked for RAF 7 on March 28 in Tampa, Fla.
The 29-year-old been very active in the grappling circuit over the past few years, going 6-0-1 in wrestling and grappling since his UFC 300 victory against Charles Oliveira. Tsarukyan’s sole appearance in the octagon in that time was a submission over Dan Hooker this past November.
Mokaev is 3-0 in MMA since parting ways with the UFC in 2024, capturing the Brave CF flyweight championship in November 2025. He competed in a grappling match in 2024, losing a split decision to Rogerio Bontorin in Abu Dhabi.
“Bullet” was expected to grapple Jorge Masvidal, but Barboza steps in as a replacement on less than a week’s notice. Magomedov, who fought to a draw in a mixed-rules grappling contest with Tsarukyan at a Hype event in December, has won five of six UFC bouts and has zero submissions in his 16-1 pro MMA record.
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Barboza is a fierce lightweight striker who enters the mats for an unusual challenge against a much larger opponent. The Muay Thai specialist most recently competed in the UFC in December, suffering a knockout loss to Jalin Turner to drop his UFC record to 18-14.
Check the updated card below.
MAIN CARD — submission-only
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Arman Tsarukyan vs. Muhammad Mokaev
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Jean Silva vs. Bryce Mitchell
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Shara Magomedov vs. Edson Barboza
PRELIMINARY CARD — bare knuckle boxing
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Victor Felisberto vs. Bruno Nascimento
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Brendo Lucas vs. Rafael Brum
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Mauricio Boni vs. Leonardo Guimaraes
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Luan Duarte vs. Bruno Almeida
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Wallace de Lima vs. Carlos Silva
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Matheus Rangel vs. Paulo Ceara
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Guilherme França vs. Daniel Mega
