Overview
- The Hype FC submission-only match in Yerevan ended as a draw after six minutes, with Tsarukyan’s late lift-and-slam on the larger Magomedov drawing the loudest reaction.
- Competing under no-judges, no-time-limit exhibition rules, neither fighter produced a submission despite brief takedowns and a standing kimura attempt from Tsarukyan.
- Tsarukyan said a grappling match with Islam Makhachev “won’t happen,” citing the champion’s UFC pay as too high for outside promoters to cover, per Red Corner MMA.
- He said the UFC told him before his win over Dan Hooker that Paddy Pimblett would get the next lightweight title shot regardless, as the promotion advanced interim plans with Justin Gaethje.
- Tsarukyan remains active outside UFC with multiple 2025 grappling wins and a November submission of Hooker, is booked to wrestle Lance Palmer on January 10, and is open to a Magomedov rematch under a different ruleset as Shara’s coach called a draw a moral win for the striker.