UFC star Armenian Arman Tsarukyan delivered a dominant performance in front of a home crowd in Yerevan on Friday, submitting Indian wrestler and fitness influencer Ankit Bayanpura in just two minutes to headline the Hype Armenia grappling event.
The Armenian mixed martial arts star wasted little time asserting control. Competing under grappling rules, Tsarukyan locked in an armbar early in the match, forcing Bayanpura to tap out and ending the contest almost as quickly as it began.
The victory was followed by an unexpected challenge. Speaking to the crowd after the bout, Tsarukyan called out Armenian-American fighter Dillon Danis and invited him to face him in Yerevan for his next fight, drawing a loud reaction from fans.
Saturday’s appearance is Tsarukyan’s second time competing in Armenia under the Hype promotion. His previous outing came in December 2025, when he faced UFC middleweight Sharabutdin “Shara Bullet” Magomedov in a grappling match that ended in a draw.
Tsarukyan has previously said he welcomes opportunities to compete in Armenia because they allow him to perform in front of local supporters and help promote combat sports in the country.
Bayanpura, who has built a following of millions through fitness content on social media and is also known for practicing traditional Indian wrestling, entered the event as a popular internet personality. But against one of the world’s elite lightweight fighters, he was unable to mount meaningful offense before the fight ended by submission.
The Tsarukyan-Bayanpura matchup was the main event of Hype Fighting Armenia, bringing another high-profile international combat sports showcase to the Armenian capital.
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