Shovkhal has challenged Arman Tsarukyan to a grappling match with significant stakes. Shovkhal proposed that if Tsarukyan can score a point against him within one minute, he will pay 500,000 rubles. The challenge involves grappling from a wrestling project format. Shovkhal mentioned he is planning to compete against an Olympic champion soon and is confident in his abilities, even offering to give up a leg position. Tsarukyan accepted the challenge, expressing confidence that he can score against Shovkhal. The exchange was captured on video by Nika Kelekhsashvili.
Arman Tsarukyan has accepted a public grappling challenge from a fighter known as Shovkhal, with 500,000 rubles on the line if the UFC lightweight contender can score a single point within one minute.
Shovkhal issued the dare as part of a wrestling project format, offering Tsarukyan a leg position head start and stating he has no concerns about the outcome. He added that he is preparing to face an Olympic champion in the near future, signaling confidence in his grappling credentials. Tsarukyan accepted on camera, insisting he is more than capable of scoring. The exchange was filmed by Nika Kelekhsashvili.
Tsarukyan enters this side challenge as the ranked number-one contender in the UFC lightweight division. The 29-year-old Russian, who trains out of American Top Team, carries a professional record of 23-3 and has built his reputation as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the 155-pound class. He averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking output of 3.85 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy, making him a threat on both feet and on the mat.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, so any public grappling display carries added scrutiny
- Shovkhal's claim of upcoming competition against an Olympic champion suggests he is a credible grappling specialist
- The one-minute, one-point format heavily favors the defensive wrestler, adding genuine stakes to the wager
