Fans are still waiting on news of when Arman Tsarukyan will return to the Octagon, but the top-ranked UFC lightweight did recently pick up an impressive win in grappling. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s now been well over a year since fans last saw the 28-year-old compete in MMA and take a split decision over former lightweight king Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. The victory earned Tsarukyan a UFC title shot against then-Champion Islam Makhachev, but he unfortunately was forced out of the fight at the last minute with a back injury. <\/p>\n
Now ranked as the lightweight division\u2019s #2 contender, Tsarukyan added a major name to his grappling resume when he submitted former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson at ACBJJ 18 in Moscow, Russia. <\/p>\n
One of the most successful lightweight champions in the history of the UFC, Henderson defended the promotion\u2019s 155 lbs. belt three times after winning it from Frankie Edgar in the headlining bout of UFC 144. <\/p>\n
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Benson Henderson after his match with Donald Cerrone (not pictured) at UFC Fight Night at TD Garden. \/ Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Following a final UFC win over Jorge Masvidal in 2015, Henderson went on to challenge for Bellator\u2019s lightweight and welterweight belts before one last failed title bid against Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 292 signaled the end of his MMA career. <\/p>\n
READ MORE: UFC reportedly books unexpected headliner for one of ESPN’s last UFC Fight Night cards<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSmooth\u201d has remained active in various other combat sports ventures since retiring from MMA, but he proved no match for Tsarukyan at ACBJJ 18 and was put unconscious by an arm triangle choke<\/a> after nearly nine minutes of action.<\/p>\n The submission gave Tsarukyan three wins out of three grappling appearances this year, as he also took a decision over Makkasharip Zaynukov at Karate Combat 54 in May before he submitted Patricky Pitbull at Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship 10 later that month. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Ian Garry teases next fight and offers stunning UFC 322 pick for Islam vs. JDM<\/a><\/p>\n As impressive as his recent grappling performances have been, fans are still patiently waiting for news of when Tsarukyan will make his return to the UFC. Dana White famously declared that the 28-year-old would have to work his way back to a title fight<\/a> following his withdrawal from UFC 311, and Ilia Topuria now holds the 155 lbs. title with Makhachev set to challenge Jack Della Maddalena<\/a> for the welterweight belt at UFC 322.<\/p>\n Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) fights Charles Oliveira (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. \/ Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n A rematch with Makhachev could still be in Tsarukyan\u2019s future at some point, and perhaps the UFC might approach him about the possibility of stepping in for a second meeting with Oliveira at UFC Rio after Rafael Fiziev recently withdrew<\/a> from that card\u2019s main event. <\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Kayla Harrison shares update on plans for UFC superfight with Amanda Nunes<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0‘Giant Paddy Pimblett\u2019 compared to Brock Lesnar makes his MMA return this weekend<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Joe Rogan offers radical solution to fix \u2018crazy\u2019 issue hurting UFC fighters<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC contract winner booked for debut fight after 16-second KO impressed Dana White<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n