Arman Tsarukyan has confirmed he will face UFC BJJ champion Mikey Musumeci in a grappling match planned for August or September. The announcement came during Tsarukyan’s appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
Match details and timeline
Tsarukyan said the match is “a real thing” and is likely to take place in August or September. He explained he must compete in one grappling match first because of UFC BJJ rules that require a fighter to have a preliminary bout before challenging for the title.
Tsarukyan said he wants to do that required match before facing Musumeci. He also indicated he will use that fight to learn how the new rules work and to prepare for the champion.
Where the warm-up bout may happen
Tsarukyan is expected to complete his prerequisite match on May 30. Sources say that fight could take place on the Real American Freestyle card, which is headlined by Gable Steveson. Matchmaker Claudia Gadelha showed interest in putting the Musumeci fight together after Musumeci publicly called out Tsarukyan earlier this year.
Tsarukyan’s recent activity and UFC status
Tsarukyan remains the No. 1 contender in the UFC lightweight division but is still waiting for his next official UFC booking. Outside the Octagon, he has been very busy. Since his last UFC appearance, Tsarukyan has competed seven times in non-UFC events. He has wins in wrestling and submission grappling, and most recently he beat Urijah Faber at RAF08.
There are also unconfirmed rumors about a possible BMF title rematch with Charles Oliveira, but Tsarukyan has not confirmed any such fight.
Recent results
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Arman Tsarukyan | Competed seven times outside the Octagon; recent win over Urijah Faber at RAF08; victories in wrestling and submission grappling |
| Mikey Musumeci | UFC BJJ champion; publicly called out Tsarukyan earlier this year |
Tsarukyan and Musumeci now have a tentative timeline. Fans should expect the title fight talk to intensify after Tsarukyan completes his required grappling match on or before May 30. More details about the August-September bout should appear as matchmakers finalize plans.
