Arman Tsarukyan, the second-ranked lightweight contender in the UFC, is making headlines, not for an upcoming match, but for an intriguing challenge from UFC BJJ Champion, Mikey Musumeci. While Tsarukyan is currently not scheduled for a bout, he recently secured his first victory of the year against Lance Palmer at Real American Freestyle, showcasing his skills outside the UFC cage.
Tsarukyan’s media tour has stirred interest in potential matchups, especially after he publicly called out actor Tom Hardy for a grappling contest. Musumeci, who recently defended his bantamweight title at UFC BJJ 5 by submitting Shay Montague, expressed his desire to grapple with Tsarukyan instead of Hardy.
Mikey Musumeci’s Call for a Grappling Match
During an interview following his title defense, Musumeci stated, “He’s incredible but he called out my friend Tom Hardy in a grappling match and my friend Tom Hardy is an actor… I just don’t like that he did that.” The BJJ champion emphasized that he is lighter than Tsarukyan and sees this as an exciting opportunity for both fighters. “That would be a really fun match for everyone… Send me location,” he added.
Despite the buzz surrounding Tsarukyan’s supposed challenge to Hardy, it appears no formal call-out has occurred. Hardy’s busy filming schedule has kept him from participating in any grappling matches, as he noted that he will be occupied until March 2024.
Future Possibilities for Arman Tsarukyan
Tsarukyan’s recent draw with Shara Magomedov could have taken a different turn had the match with Hardy materialized. He remarked, “Yeah, I got that offer, but he couldn’t come because he was filming something. I don’t know, he’s busy. So it didn’t happen, but maybe in the future – why not? I’m down for everybody, for big names.”
While the prospect of a match with Hardy seems unlikely at this moment, Tsarukyan’s willingness to engage with top names in the sport keeps fans eagerly anticipating his next move. The lightweight division is known for its competitive nature, and Tsarukyan is determined to remain a prominent figure.
As the landscape of mixed martial arts continues to evolve, the interactions between fighters and celebrities like Tom Hardy highlight the sport’s broad appeal. Whether Tsarukyan faces Musumeci or another high-profile opponent, his presence in the octagon is sure to captivate audiences worldwide.
