ACB JJ promotion has announced a grappling match between Yusuf Raisov and Arman Tsarukyan scheduled for 2026. The exact date for the bout has not yet been specified. This announcement represents a notable grappling superfight between two high-level competitors. Further details about the event are expected to be released later.
ACB JJ has announced a grappling contest pitting UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan against Yusuf Raisov, with the bout slated for sometime in 2026. A specific date has not yet been confirmed by the promotion, with further event details expected to follow.
Tsarukyan, known by the nickname "Ahalkalakets," enters the matchup as one of the most dangerous competitors in the lightweight division. The 29-year-old Russian trains out of American Top Team and currently holds the number-one ranking at 155 pounds, carrying a professional MMA record of 23-3-0. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, Tsarukyan is an orthodox striker who lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy. His wrestling credentials are equally notable, as he averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes — a rate that underscores the well-rounded grappling base he would bring into a submission-rules setting.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked UFC lightweight, making any high-profile appearance outside the cage a talking point across the division
- A grappling-only format places extra emphasis on Tsarukyan's ground game, stripping away the striking dimension where he also excels
- The ACB JJ platform regularly attracts elite combat sports athletes, and this pairing signals another marquee addition to its 2026 calendar
