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.<\/p>\n
Tsarukyan was originally slated to compete in a rematch against American wrestler Giorgio Poullas following their RAF 6 brawl<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The stoppage officially came at the 7:46 mark of the 10-minute contest.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> and Giorgio Poullas<\/a> under the Real American Freestyle banner, and is already scheduled to rematch Poullas<\/a> on March 28 at RAF 7.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Walker then seemingly coaxed two individuals from the audience to step into the ring and compete in an impromptu bare-knuckle boxing match.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Check out Wednesday’s full Hype Brazil: Tsarukyan vs. Mokaev results and highlights below.<\/p>\n Fight card<\/p>\n Submission-only grappling: Arman Tsarukyan def. Muhammad Mokaev via rear-naked choke at 7:46<\/p>\n Submission-only grappling: Jean Silva vs. Bryce Mitchell ends in a draw<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Submission-only grappling: Edson Barboza vs. Shara Magomedov ends in a draw<\/p>\n Submission-only grappling: Lev Sarkisyan vs. Joilton Lutterbach ends in a draw<\/p>\n Bare-knuckle boxing: Victor Felisberto def. Bruno Nascimento via second-round KO | Watch finish<\/a><\/p>\n Bare-knuckle boxing: Rafael Brum def. Brendo Lucas via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)<\/p>\n Bare-knuckle boxing: Mauricio Boni vs. Leonardo Guimaraes cancelled mid-fight<\/a> by ring announcer Valter Walker<\/p>\n Bare-knuckle boxing: Luan Duarte def. Bruno Almeida via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)<\/p>\n Bare-knuckle boxing: Wallace De Lima def. Carlos Silva via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n