The ACB Jiu-Jitsu promotion has officially announced a grappling match between Yusuf Raisov and Arman Tsarukyan scheduled for 2026. The bout will take place under grappling rules rather than MMA competition. While the matchup has been confirmed, the promotion has not yet disclosed a specific date for the event. This represents a crossover opportunity for Tsarukyan to compete in submission grappling outside of his primary MMA career.
ACB Jiu-Jitsu has officially announced a grappling match between Yusuf Raisov and UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, with the bout slated for sometime in 2026. The promotion confirmed the matchup but has not yet revealed a specific date. The contest will be contested under grappling rules, marking a crossover appearance for Tsarukyan outside of his primary MMA career.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters the match as the number-one ranked lightweight contender in the UFC, carrying a professional MMA record of 23-3-0. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and competes from an orthodox stance. In MMA competition he has averaged 3.85 significant strikes landed per minute at a 50 percent striking accuracy clip, while also contributing on the ground with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. Submission grappling represents a less familiar arena for Tsarukyan, who averages just 0.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes in MMA — making this appearance under grappling rules a notable departure from his usual competitive profile.
No verified record or ranking data for Raisov was available in the announcement.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is currently the top-ranked UFC lightweight contender, meaning any activity outside the Octagon draws attention from the division.
- Competing under submission grappling rules tests a dimension of his game that MMA statistics suggest he relies on infrequently.
- No specific event date has been confirmed, leaving the scheduling timeline open.
