A rare, official title eliminator was found on Saturday’s UFC 300, with former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira facing up-and-comer Arman Tsarukyan.
With Oliveira the UFC submissions leader, Tsarukyan would be wise to keep this one standing, though he expressed confidence in his overall skillset ahead of the lightweight match-up.
An early leg kick from Oliveira dropped Tsarukyan to the ground and Oliveira began to attack a Guillotine. Tsarukyan tried to get up and got trapped in an extremely tight arm-in Guillotine, that somehow he squirmed out of. Oliveira maintained control, dropping some elbows, but Tsarukyan was able to sweep the Brazilian and get into top control. An illegal upkick from Oliveira made Mark Smith call a timeout. Tsarukyan got the position back after the timeout. Oliveira was able to get back up as time expired in the round.
Early in the second round both fighters had success on the feet. Tsarukyan was able to take Oliveira down. Both fighters exchanged elbows, however Tsarukyan maintained top position throughout exchanges. “Akhalkalakets” sliced Oliveira open with a nasty elbow at the end of the second round. Potentially one-a-piece going into the third and final round, Oliveira’s corner believed so at least.
Oliviera fended off early takedown attempts from Tsarukyan, before Tsarukyan finally got him down halfway through the round. Tsarukyan took Oliveira’s back, but Oliveira wriggled out and attempted a D’arce choke as time was expiring, but Arman Tsarukyan stayed composed and survived. Very close fight, could have gone either way.
Arman Tsarukyan came away with a split decision, in a very close, action-packed fight. He should be next, maybe after Dustin Poirier, if the rumours of a June fight between Islam Makhachev and himself turn out to be true.
Official Result: Arman Tsarukyan defeats Charles Oliveira via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
