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Arman Tsarukyan chokes Muhammad Mokaev unconscious in short-notice Hype FC grappling match

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Mar 12, 2026 9:43 AM ET

Muhammad Mokaev refused to tap to Arman Tsarukyan and was put to sleep in a short-notice grappling match in the main event of a wacky Hype FC show in Brazil on Wednesday.

Tsarukyan has been on the media run to end all media runs in recent months, and has factored in almost biweekly competition into his endless press tour. He continued that tonight as he squared off with Brave CF champion and undefeated prospect Mokaev for a ten-minute submission-only grappling contest.

With a potential return to the UFC on the line for the flyweight, he took on a monstrous size difference against the lightweight contender.

Arman Tsarukyan vs Muhammad Mokaev result

From before the first bell even rang, Arman Tsarukyan was calling out any tricks Muhammad Mokaev might try. He called for ‘greasing’, before the pair eventually got to grips and the pair’s size difference became really evident.

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After an attempt to get a standing guillotine, Tsarukyan ended up on top and putting pressure on Mokaev from a lower position. Mokaev did throw an up-kick that irked his rival, but things were not nearly as heated as last month’s bout between the UFC star and Georgio Poullas that led to a brawl.

The grappling was really high-level from two men renowned for their wrestling, but with two minutes on the clock Tsarukyan did find his way to the back. He locked in a rear naked choke, but Mokaev refused to tap out and ended up going unconscious.

Mokaev has been on a winning run in MMA dating back to his amateur days, but did lose a spit decision at ADXC in October of 2024. However, this was arguably his worst loss in any competition to date as he was put out cold.

Tsarukyan declared himself the number one contender in the UFC after he was presented with the Hype FC belt, and called for a fight with Brazilian fan favorite Charles Oliveira. His rival just won the BMF title from Max Holloway, and the pair already had a razor-close contest at UFC 300 that the Armenian won.

He also called out Dillon Danis for a grappling match, with the pair set to meet backstage as they face different opponents in the two headliners of RAF07 in Florida on March 28. Tsarukyan takes on Georgio Poullas in a rematch of their RAF06 bout, while Danis faces Colby Covington.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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