Arman Tsarukyan, a top-ranked lightweight, had his sights set on challenging for a UFC title after his victory over Charles Oliveira in April 2024. However, missing out on a potential title fight against then-champion Islam Makhachev in January affected his position in the title picture.
Remaining active, Tsarukyan has been competing on the grappling circuit. He recently defeated Makkasharip Zaynukov in a match he described as “boring” and is now set to face Patricky Pitbull at ADXC in Russia. The Brazilian veteran views this upcoming grappling bout as an opportunity to significantly boost his own mixed martial arts career.
Pitbull versus Tsarukyan is scheduled to headline ADXC 10 in Moscow on May 31st. The match is set as a catchweight of 176 pounds and will consist of five three-minute rounds. The former Bellator champion, Patricky Pitbull, expressed that he wouldn`t be surprised if a decisive victory over a prominent UFC talent like Tsarukyan resulted in an offer from the UFC.
When asked about the possibility of signing with the UFC following a win, Pitbull told MMA Fighting, “I believe so. Nothing is impossible.” He continued, “I never say never. I can’t say it’s impossible. It’s not impossible.” He suggested that the UFC is often interested in fighters who generate buzz, stating, “I see it’s more like, ‘Damn, you’re hyped up. Come here, get your shot at showing your work.’ I think it’s possible, yes. It’s a great opportunity for me to put on a good performance and bring more eyeballs.”
Patricky Pitbull is renowned as one of the most formidable knockout artists in Bellator history, having secured 11 of his 16 wins in the promotion by knockout, including notable finishes against Peter Queally, Josh Thomson, and Ryan Couture. He has also performed well in the RIZIN ring, notably finishing the current 155-pound champion Roberto Satoshi with a combination of leg kicks and punches. Despite his past success, he is currently on a three-fight losing streak in MMA, with recent losses to Alexander Shabliy, Clay Collard, and Bruno Miranda.
While Pitbull hasn`t won an MMA fight by submission in 15 years, the grappling-only ruleset of ADXC presents a unique opportunity to potentially secure one, as punching and kicking are not allowed. Pitbull mentioned, however, that he had to adapt his game plan on short notice after being informed in Russia that leg attacks would not be permitted, reportedly at the request of the UFC to avoid serious injuries.
Detailing his strategy for the grappling encounter, Pitbull stated, “If he makes a mistake, I’ll catch his neck.” He added that if Tsarukyan “exposes himself too much with takedowns,” he intends to “piss him off, and get him frustrated before he shoots from long distance, and I attack his neck, take his back with quick jiu-jitsu berimbolo.”
Evaluating Tsarukyan`s grappling capabilities, Pitbull commented that his opponent “shown more [grappling] in his MMA fights than this last grappling Karate Combat match.” He even speculated, “I even think he lost this match [at Karate Combat], but they have him the win.” He acknowledged Tsarukyan`s resilience, noting his “good guillotine and arm-triangle choke defense” in the fight against Charles `do Bronx` Oliveira and describing him as “tough and very durable.”
Pitbull hopes that a victory at ADXC will revitalize his MMA career, especially after the Global Fight League, a promotion he had signed with, collapsed before its inaugural event. While a UFC offer remains a hopeful possibility, Pitbull is also open to making a return to Japan for another run under the RIZIN banner.
“I’m already in talks with people in Japan, seeing some possibilities of booking fights there,” Pitbull revealed. He holds a 3-1 record in RIZIN, with all three wins coming by knockout over Satoshi, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and Luiz Gustavo. He noted his popularity there, stating, “People love me in Japan because I beat the champion there.” He views a potential return as “another great opportunity to go there and show my best,” mentioning his past success and a rivalry with Kleber Koike. He concluded by saying it’s “a good idea to go back and beat people up” and potentially “fight for the belt in the future.”
