UFC BJJ bantamweight champion challenges Arman Tsarukyan: 'I'll move up to his weight class'

Arman Tsarukyan in victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/@UFC

UFC BJJ bantamweight champion (up to 61,2 kg), Mikey Musumeci, issued the challenge to Arman TsarukyanThe American, who completed another successful title defense, this time against Shay Montague at UFC BJJ 5, last Thursday (12), in Las Vegas (USA), made clear his interest in fighting against the Ultimate lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) and is willing to move up a category for this confrontation.

In an interview with the UFC, Mikey recalled The grappling match that almost happened between Tom Hardy, the movie star, and Tsarukyan at the end of 2025.Despite the actor having declined the fight due to his high work demands at the time, Musumeci was bothered to learn that the Armenian fighter had considered fighting a purple belt. Therefore, the UFC BJJ bantamweight champion decided to challenge the second-ranked lightweight to a match in that discipline.

“My friend Tom Hardy, Arman (Tsarukyan), challenged him to a grappling match. At the time, he was a purple belt (Tom). He challenged an amateur purple belt to a grappling match. How about him competing against a jiu-jitsu practitioner in a grappling match? I move up to his weight class and we have a grappling match. It'll be fun,” Mikey Musumeci said in an interview.

“I had more fun tonight… I was focused on enjoying the experience more.”

UFC BJJ bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci reflects on defending his title at #UFCBJJ5 and calls out UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan.

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- UFC News (@UFCNews) February 13, 2026

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Current moment of Mikey Musumeci and Arman Tsarukyan

Last Thursday (12), Mikey Musumeci defeated Shay Montague by submission (foot lock) in the second round of UFC BJJ 5, in Las Vegas (USA). The American is the inaugural champion of the category and is undefeated in the organization, having held four fights in total.

On the other side, Arman Tsarukyan comes from victory against Dan Hooker via submission (arm triangle choke) in the second round of UFC Fight Night 265 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, in November 2025. The Armenian currently has five consecutive wins.