UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan starts brawl at wrestling event

A massive brawl involving a top UFC contender broke out Saturday after a wrestling event went off the rails.

Arman Tsarukyan, ranked second in the UFC lightweight division, was competing in an American freestyle wrestling match against Georgio Poullas when tensions flared at the end of their fight.

Tsarukyan was seen shoving Poullas at the end of the match, which immediately led to him throwing punches as the brawl ensued.

The two teams of Tsarukyan and Poullas stormed the wrestling mat and began confronting each other, while officials and others attempted to intervene and stop the confrontation.

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Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia reacts after a submission victory against Dan Hooker of New Zealand in a lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at ABHA Arena on November 22, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Uncrowned also reported that fights also began to break out in the crowd at this time.

Colby Covington, another UFC fighter, was seen escorting Poullas off the mat and backstage as the crowd began chanting “USA!”

Tsarukyan won the fight 5-3 against Poullas, as the dust settled after the fight.

What may have led to the altercation was Poullas hitting Tsarukyan in the head during the match, something the latter was clearly unhappy about throughout the match.

Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at ABHA Arena on November 21, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Tsarukyan even said after the event on X: “Girl and find out”, speaking clearly about what happened between him and Poullas.

Head slaps are something Poullas has been called out for in his last few wrestling matches, as former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad responded in a separate X-article: “No, it was deserved, the other guy was dirty.”

While Tsarukyan remained active with Real American Freestyle, he enjoyed a winning streak in the UFC. He has won his last five fights, including a submission against Dan Hooker in November. Tsarukyan even received the performer of the night bonus for his performance in the second round victory.

Georgian Arman Tsarukyan kicks New Zealander Dan Hooker in a lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena (ABHA Arena) in Doha, Qatar on November 22, 2025. (Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)

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Tsarukyan’s previous victory came over Charles Oliveira via decision, and he knocked out Beneil Dariush before that in December 2023. Tsarukyan is 23-3 over his UFC career and could soon see a title fight against current lightweight belt holder Ilia Topuria.

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