Arman Tsarukyan has pulled every trick in the book to land a fight with Ilia Topuria. After withdrawing from his scheduled title clash at UFC 311, against Islam Makhachev, because of a last-minute back injury, he’s turned to playful skits on social media in hopes of grabbing the champion’s attention. But ‘El Matador’ hasn’t taken the bait. And now, rather than wait endlessly on the sidelines for a title shot, Tsarukyan is heading back into competition, this time against a former lightweight champion.

The opponent is Benson Henderson, without a doubt. Indeed, the former UFC Lightweight Champion has hung up his gloves, signaling that this is not a battle within the cage. Instead, Arman Tsarukyan will step into the Absolute Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for a grappling match against Henderson. Ultimately, the news has sparked plenty of chatter, as fans question why Tsarukyan, absent from UFC action for over 500 days, chose to return in a grappling showdown against someone 13 years older.

Arman Tsarukyan eyes dominant return

Just a few hours ago, Championship Rounds shared a clip on X featuring Arman Tsarukyan and Benson Henderson in front of Moscow State University. They captioned it, “Arman Tsarukyan faces off with Benson Henderson ahead of their grappling match 👀.”

In the video, the 28-year-old first shook hands with his future opponent. Moments later, locking eyes during the face-off, he asked, “You feeling me, or what?” to which the 30-12 fighter replied, “No, not yet.” The two then shook hands once more before posing for a brief photoshoot.

In case you missed it, the grappling match between Arman Tsarukyan and Benson Henderson has been added to a tribute event honoring Ali Gaziev, a respected BJJ practitioner who recently passed away. The promotion announced the matchup on social media, writing: “The main contender for the UFC lightweight title and one of the best fighters in the world, Arman Tsarukyan, will appear at the ACBJJ18 tournament, dedicated to the memory of Ali Gaziev.”

It seems ACBJJ was still searching for an opponent after first announcing Tsarukyan’s appearance. Initially, no opponent was mentioned, and the promotion even asked fans, “Who would you like to see as an opponent for Arman?” While it’s unclear if Benson Henderson was the choice fans expected, the matchup is now set for September 19 in Moscow. Now, with the confirmation in place, fans quickly shared their reactions online.

Has Arman Tsarukyan forgotten how a title fight feels like?

“Arman going the Jake Paul route. Smh. From pulling out of a UFC championship fight to this…” one fan criticized, pointing out that the number two ranked lightweight is now set to face an opponent 15 years his senior. They compared the move to Jake Paul’s boxing ventures, where the YouTuber-turned-boxer fought retired legends like Mike Tyson last year, cashing in on money and spectacle over meaningful competition.

Another fan mocked Arman Tsarukyan’s decision, writing, “Arman went from having a championship fight with Islam to grappling exhibitions 🤣🤣🤣.” Others pointed to his lengthy absence from the UFC since his win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 on April 13 of last year. One user sarcastically asked, “When was Arman’s last fight in UFC?” While technically absent from the Octagon, Tsarukyan has stayed active with wins at Karate Combat 54 against Makkasharip Zaynukov and at ADXC 10 against Patricky Pitbull.

Still, critics argue exhibitions can only distract from the bigger picture. Every day Tsarukyan spends away from the UFC cage, contenders like Mateusz Gamrot, Justin Gaethje, and even rising Arman Petrosyan chip away at his relevance. For a fighter once billed as Makhachev’s toughest stylistic test, that erosion of momentum could prove costly.

One user commented, “More grappling match than UFC fights. He’s not ready to be a champion.” Another questioned why the 28-year-old would agree to face someone who had already secured 21 professional wins before Tsarukyan even started fighting in 2015, writing, “Facing off against a 50 year old💔.”

Others expressed concern over his health, especially his back issues. One fan warned, “Be careful with your back pain,”referencing the injury Arman Tsarukyan sustained ahead of his scheduled UFC 311 title fight with Islam Makhachev. According to his coach and himself, the back pain first developed the night before weigh-ins. While it began as a minor issue, it worsened drastically during his weight cut, leaving him unable to move and forcing him to withdraw from the fight last minute.

Criticism also came from those who believe Tsarukyan is deliberately avoiding UFC competition. Harsh comments like, “His bi-ch a– never wants to fight in UFC,” and even calling him a “B-m,” surfaced online, as some fans questioned his willingness to face top-tier fighters inside the Octagon.

Despite the backlash, reports suggest Arman Tsarukyan might soon headline against sixth-ranked lightweight Dan Hooker, as shared by Red Corner MMA. While not a top-five opponent, Hooker is widely respected, and a matchup with him promises fireworks.

What’s clear is that Tsarukyan is walking a razor’s edge. Grappling Henderson keeps his competitive fire burning, but unless he’s back in the UFC cage soon, the narrative shifts from “future champ-in-waiting” to “contender in limbo.” His next move after Moscow will define whether fans remember him as Islam’s biggest threat—or as another talent who let timing slip away.