Arman Tsarukyan continues to be 2026’s side-quest king. The top-ranked UFC lightweight contender choked out Muhammad Mokaev to cap off a dominant showing Wednesday in their submission-only grappling match, closing out a bizarre and often anarchic Hype Brazil show inside Rio de Janeiro’s Farmasi Arena.

Tsarukyan was originally slated to compete in a rematch against American wrestler Giorgio Poullas following their RAF 6 brawl, however Poullas withdrew and former UFC flyweight Mokaev stepped in as a late replacement. Unsurprisingly, the action resembled what you’d expect when a career lightweight takes on a career flyweight, with Tsarukyan using his strength and technique to consistently take top position. Mokaev fended off Tsarukyan’s relentless attacks as best as he could, but ultimately succumbed after Tsarukyan took his back off a front headlock, then secured both hooks and snaked in a slick rear-naked choke to lull Mokaev to sleep with a quickness.

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The stoppage officially came at the 7:46 mark of the 10-minute contest.

Afterward, Tsarukyan reiterated his claim as the No. 1 UFC lightweight contender and promised to soon have the UFC title and BMF belt in his possession, before calling out Dillon Danis and Charles Oliveira.

Wednesday’s result marked the third time Tsarukyan has competed outside of the UFC in 2026. The well-traveled 29-year-old has also won wrestling matches against Lance Palmer and Giorgio Poullas under the Real American Freestyle banner, and is already scheduled to rematch Poullas on March 28 at RAF 7.

A quartet of other UFC veterans also featured on Wednesday’s event, with past foes Jean Silva and Bryce Mitchell grappling to a surprisingly friendly 10-minute draw, and Edson Barboza and Shara Magomedov doing similarly.

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Yet the night was also mired in chaos, often led by UFC heavyweight Valter Walker, who served as both the event’s ring announcer and chief instigator.

The absurdity began early when a bare-knuckle boxing match between Mauricio Boni and Leonardo Guimaraes was repeatedly interrupted by Walker, who was incensed at the lack of action between the two heavyweights. Walker eventually “canceled” the bout mid-fight after giving Boni and Guimaraes a 10-second countdown on the microphone while urging them to pick up the pace.

Walker then seemingly coaxed two individuals from the audience to step into the ring and compete in an impromptu bare-knuckle boxing match.

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It was later revealed that one of the individuals was the event’s head of security, while the other was just a fan. The fan quickly realized that he did not actually want to be in a fight.

Finally, a supposed grappling match between Lev Sarkisyan and Joilton Lutterbach descended into multiple in-ring brawls, with the referee repeatedly getting nailed by flying kicks amid the chaos.

Check out Wednesday’s full Hype Brazil: Tsarukyan vs. Mokaev results and highlights below.

Fight card

Submission-only grappling: Arman Tsarukyan def. Muhammad Mokaev via rear-naked choke at 7:46

Submission-only grappling: Jean Silva vs. Bryce Mitchell ends in a draw

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Submission-only grappling: Edson Barboza vs. Shara Magomedov ends in a draw

Submission-only grappling: Lev Sarkisyan vs. Joilton Lutterbach ends in a draw

Bare-knuckle boxing: Victor Felisberto def. Bruno Nascimento via second-round KO | Watch finish

Bare-knuckle boxing: Rafael Brum def. Brendo Lucas via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Bare-knuckle boxing: Mauricio Boni vs. Leonardo Guimaraes cancelled mid-fight by ring announcer Valter Walker

Bare-knuckle boxing: Luan Duarte def. Bruno Almeida via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)

Bare-knuckle boxing: Wallace De Lima def. Carlos Silva via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)

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Bare-knuckle boxing: Matheus Rangel def. Paulo Ceara via first-round KO | Watch finish

Bare-knuckle boxing: Guilherme Franca def. Daniel Mega via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Live coverage is over78 updates

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:39 PM PDT

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:38 PM PDT

He wants Charles Oliveira next. He says he was born ready and is down for any date.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:38 PM PDT

They wrap a big gold and silver belt around Arman Tsarukyan’s waist. Valter Walker just proclaimed him a Hype champion, so I guess that’s a thing now?

“I’m [UFC] contender No. 1. This is just a side quest.”

Tsarukyan says soon he’s going to have the UFC lightweight title and BMF belt too.

Then he says he wants a real challenger in Hype and calls out Dillon Danis.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:36 PM PDT

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:35 PM PDT

WOW! That was disgustingly slick. Mokaev tried to buck out of the side control but Tsarukyan lunged onto his back and snuck in a rear-naked choke in a matter of seconds.

Mokaev didn’t even have much time to tap — and so he went to sleep.

Technical submission victory for Tsarukyan. Our first (and last) submission of the night.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:33 PM PDT

He whirls back into side control, then into a front headlock position. That could’ve been a nasty spot for Mokaev, but he squirms out and rolls to evade Tsarukyan’s pass attempts.

Tsarukyan ends up in side control after a scramble. Two and a half minutes left on the clock.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:32 PM PDT

He’s relentless right now with his pass attempts. Mokaev is game, though — everything Tsarukyan throws out there, Mokaev is rolling with it and reclaiming a butterfly hook.

Tsarukyan switches directions and finally achieves full mount with 4:30 left on the clock. He postures up and slides a forearm under Mokaev’s neck. No punches or elbows allowed here.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:30 PM PDT

Tsarukyan still hunting for side control. Mokaev rolls to his side, then to his knees and tries to escape. Tsarukyan is savvy to it, though. He blocks Mokaev’s attempt and settles back down into half guard.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:28 PM PDT

Tsarukyan working from half guard and methodically hunting a pass into side control. Two minutes down already.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:27 PM PDT

Arman Tsarukyan is SO much bigger than Mokaev in there. This does indeed look like a lightweight versus a flyweight.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:26 PM PDT

Straight out of the gates, Arman Tsarukyan accuses Mokaev of greasing and makes his corner go and wipe him down. Literally seconds into the match.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:24 PM PDT

Yes, it just says an “X.” That’s all we got.

Honestly? Makes sense after everything we’ve seen tonight.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:22 PM PDT

We’ve hit our main event of the evening! The Arman Tsarukyan side-quest tour continues in mere moments.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:21 PM PDT

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:20 PM PDT

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:20 PM PDT

Bryce Mitchell calls a kid from the audience into the ring, then gives the kid a miniature Bible.

Then he complains that they wouldn’t let him bring his American flag to the event, so he rips off his shorts and reveals USA underwear. Of course.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:17 PM PDT

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:17 PM PDT

Really fun scrambles throughout from Silva and Mitchell in this one. They seemed to really have a good time in there. The 10-minute period ends with these two giggling like little kids and embracing.

No submission, so we have another draw.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:11 PM PDT

Six minutes to go in this 10-minute match. And they’re actually having a good time in there! Very friendly vibe right now between Silva and Mitchell. Not what I expected.

Mitchell currently working from side control, and now mount.

Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:03 PM PDT

Folks, I can’t lie. I am legit giddy to see what’s about to happen between these two in this obviously lawless, no-rules, do-whatever-feels-right type of environment. Security needs to be on high alert.

In case you missed what happened earlier in the night: