Overview
- Tsarukyan routed four-time NCAA All-American Lance Palmer by first-period technical fall, 10–0, at RAF 5 in Sunrise, Florida.
- Palmer brought elite collegiate credentials and past WSOF and PFL titles, though he has struggled in recent MMA and grappling outings.
- Despite being the UFC’s No. 1 lightweight, Tsarukyan was bypassed for the Jan. 24 interim title bout, with Dana White citing his Hooker headbutt and other incidents as factors.
- Tsarukyan says the UFC told him he was too dangerous for its first Paramount card and he remains ready to serve as a short-notice backup while staying active in wrestling and grappling.
- After the win he called out Michael Chandler for an RAF match, and Chandler responded that he would "absolutely smash" Tsarukyan on the mats as observers said the result increased pressure on UFC decision-makers.