Arman Tsarukyan may not have a UFC lightweight title shot (or a fight at all, for that matter) on the schedule, but that hasn’t stopped him from competing against someone who once held that championship.
At ACBJJ 18, Tsarukyan stepped onto the mat against former UFC champion Benson Henderson for a grappling match. It was Tsarukyan’s third match of the year, and he found a way to put Henderson to sleep.
Tsarukyan slapped on a slick arm triangle choke, shifted his weight to the side, and steadily tightened the grip. It was textbook, and before they both knew it, Henderson was out. The referee checked Henderson’s arm and called the match off. Henderson looked surprised as Tsarukyan helped him up.
Check out video of the finish below (via Instagram):
Check out other highlights of the match below:
Tsarukyan’s last appearance in the UFC was a split decision win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He was scheduled for a lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev in January, but pulled out during fight week due to injury. He currently holds the No. 2 rank in the division.
Since then, the 28-year-old contender won two other grappling matches: Makkasharip Zaynukov by decision at Karate Combat 54 on May 2 and Patricky Pitbull by rear-naked choke at ADXC 10 on May 31.
