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A massive brawl involving one of the UFC’s top contenders broke out on Saturday after a wrestling event went off the rails.
Arman Tsarukyan, ranked second in the UFC lightweight division, participated in a Real American Freestyle wrestling match against Georgio Poullas when tensions boiled over at the end of their fight.
Tsarukyan was seen shoving Poullas as the match ended, immediately leading to him throwing punches when the fight ensued.
Both teams of Tsarukyan and Poullas burst onto the fighting mat and began punching each other, as officers 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 began breaking out in the crowd at that time.
Colby Covington, a fellow UFC fighter, was seen escorting Poullas off the mat and into the backstage area as the crowd began chanting “USA!”
Tsarukyan won the fight 5-3 over 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 clearly disliked 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
Head slaps are something Poullas has been criticized for in his previous wrestling matches, as former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad responded in a separate X post: “No, he deserved the other guy to be dirty.”
While Tsarukyan has remained active with Real American Freestyle, he is enjoying a nice winning streak in the UFC. He has won his last five fights, including a submission against Dan Hooker in November. Tsarukyan even received a Performer of the Night bonus for his performance in the Round 2 victory.
Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia kicks Dan Hooker of New Zealand in a lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at 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 by decision, and he knocked out Beneil Dariush before that in December 2023. Tsarukyan is 23-3 in his UFC career and could soon see a title fight against current lightweight belt holder Ilia Topuria.
