NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
A massive brawl involving a top UFC contender broke out Saturday after a wrestling event went off the rails.
Arman Tsarukyan, who was number two in the lightweight division of the UFC, was participating in a Real American Freestyle wrestling match against Georgio Poullas when tensions boiled over at the end of their match.
Tsarukyan was seen shoving Poullas as the fight ended and this immediately led to him throwing punches as the brawl ensued.
Both teams for Tsarukyan and Poullas stormed the wrestling mat and began teeing off at each other as officials and others tried to step in and stop the confrontation.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
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 the ABHA Arena on November 22, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Uncrowned also reported that fights began to break out in the crowd at that point.
Colby Covington, another UFC fighter, was seen escorting Poullas off the mat and backstage as the crowd began chanting “USA!”
Tsarukyan won the match 5-3 over Poullas when the dust settled after the brawl.
What may have led to the altercation was Poullas punching Tsarukyan in the head during the fight, which the latter was clearly unhappy about throughout.
Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia poses on the scales during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-ins at the ABHA Arena on November 21, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Tsarukyan even said after the event on X, “F— around and figure it out,” speaking clearly about what happened between him and Poullas.
Headslaps are something Poullas has been called out for in his previous wrestling bouts, with former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad responding in a separate X post: “Nah, the other guy deserved to be dirty.”
While Tsarukyan remained active with Real American Freestyle, he is enjoying a streak in the UFC. He has won his last five fights, including a submission against Dan Hooker in November. Tsarukyan even earned a Performer of the Night bonus for his performance in the Round 2 win.
Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia kicks Dan Hooker of New Zealand 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)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Tsarukyan’s previous win came over Charles Oliveira by 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.
