In a conversation captured on video, Shovhal issued a challenge to Arman Tsarukyan involving a wrestling match. Shovhal offered to pay 500,000 rubles if Tsarukyan can score a point against him within one minute of wrestling. Tsarukyan accepted the challenge, expressing confidence he could succeed. Shovhal mentioned he is preparing to wrestle against an Olympic champion and even offered to give up his leg position. The exchange appeared friendly but competitive, with both fighters showing mutual confidence. Details about when or where this wrestling challenge might take place were not specified in the conversation.
Arman Tsarukyan has accepted a wrestling challenge from Shovhal, who offered to pay 500,000 rubles if the UFC lightweight contender can score even a single point against him within one minute on the mat.
The exchange, captured on video, had a friendly but competitive tone. Shovhal threw down the wager with considerable confidence, stating he is currently preparing to wrestle against an Olympic champion. He even offered Tsarukyan a concession on leg positioning to sweeten the deal. Tsarukyan accepted without hesitation, making clear he backs himself to get the job done inside the time limit. No date or location for the contest was specified.
Tsarukyan, 29, is ranked number one in the UFC lightweight division and carries a professional record of 23-3-0. The Armenian-born fighter, who represents Russia and trains out of American Top Team, is one of the more complete athletes in the 155-pound class. He averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at a rate of 3.85 significant strikes per minute with 50 percent accuracy, suggesting his wrestling base is already a meaningful part of his game. He stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, so any public display of his wrestling credentials carries divisional weight
- Shovhal's claim that he is preparing against Olympic-level competition sets a high bar and adds genuine stakes to the bet
- The lighthearted nature of the challenge keeps it in the social category for now, but the outcome could feed into the broader narrative around Tsarukyan's grappling credentials at 155 pounds
