A certain top-ranked Lightweight Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contender will step into competition next week … but not inside the Octagon.
Absolute Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (ACBJJ) announced late last week that almost-Lightweight title challenger Arman Tsarukyan will face former UFC Lightweight champion Benson Henderson in a grappling superfight at ACBJJ 18 on Sept. 19, 2025, inside Dynamo Volleyball Arena in Moscow, Russia.
Tsarukyan has been keeping himself busy while waiting for his next UFC booking following his ill-fated withdrawal from UFC 311, where he was slated to challenge Islam Makhachev for the Lightweight crown.
The 28-year-old hasn’t competed in MMA since UFC 300, but he has already stepped onto the mats twice this year — earning a decision win over Makkasharip Zaynukov in Karate Combat’s grappling showcase and submitting Patricky Pitbull at ADXC 10 in May (watch highlights).
Henderson, 41, officially retired from MMA in 2023 after a first-round submission loss to Usman Nurmagomedov (watch highlights), but he’s hardly slowed down. “Smooth” has taken part in grappling matches, tried his hand at boxing, and even tested himself in Karate Combat against Anthony Pettis.
For Tsarukyan, it’s another chance to stay sharp while extending his competitive rhythm as he waits for UFC to call. For Henderson, it’s another opportunity to prove that experience and savvy can still cause problems for the younger generation.
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