"This was my first time, but I promise it won’t be my last."
Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria was dominated by UFC star Arman Tsarukyan in a grappling match in Armenia.
Tsarukyan needed just over two minutes to secure the submission victory, finishing the contest with an armbar after an explosive suplex.
Going into the Hype Fighting match, Baiyanpuria had over 8 million Instagram followers and is known for his fitness and bodybuilding videos.
However, he seemingly has minimal combat experience.
Meanwhile, Tsarukyan is one of the top contenders in the UFC’s lightweight division, with a record of 23 wins and 3 defeats.
Tsarukyan, who has called RAF home for the past several months, took control after an early exchange on the feet.
He lifted Baiyanpuria into the air with a suplex before immediately transitioning into an armbar.
Baiyanpuria tapped out seconds later, ending the match in under three minutes.
Although Tsarukyan entered the contest as the clear favourite, he delivered an entertaining performance with the emphatic finish.
In his post-fight interview, Tsarukyan said he would be interested in a future match against the controversial Dillon Danis.
Baiyanpuria took to Instagram and stated that he would compete again.
He wrote: “Thank you India for all the love and support.
“This was my first time, but I promise it won’t be my last. I gave it everything I had, and I’m sorry I couldn’t get the result we all wanted.
“I’ll learn from this, work even harder, and come back stronger. Thank you for believing in me.”
Arman Tsarukyan won against the Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria via an armbar pic.twitter.com/wkJ5kSed7Y
— Matysek (@Matysek88) August 1, 2026
Arman Tsarukyan’s victory comes as the 155-pound contender continues to wait for his next UFC fight.
Tsarukyan has been linked with a major bout later in 2026, although no official announcement has been made.
He is currently on a five-fight win streak but he hasn’t fought in the UFC since November 2025.
Despite not having a mixed martial arts bout, Tsarukyan has been active in the wrestling and grappling circuits.
Reigning UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has previously named Tsarukyan as a potential future opponent.
However, Gaethje is not expected to compete again until 2027, meaning Tsarukyan is likely to pursue another fight before the end of 2026 as he looks to strengthen his case for a championship opportunity next year.
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