UFC BJJ Confirms Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mikey Musumeci Grappling Match

The two elite grapplers have agreed to face off in a catchweight bout this August.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 11:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

UFC BJJ has announced that Arman Tsarukyan and Mikey Musumeci have agreed to compete against each other in a grappling match. The bout will take place at a catchweight due to the size difference between the two athletes. Claudia Gadelha, UFC BJJ's head of jiu-jitsu strategy and business development, revealed that the two sides have been in talks and have moved forward with the matchup, which is expected to happen in August.

Why it matters

This high-profile grappling match between two of the sport's elite competitors will generate significant interest from fans and further showcase the growing popularity of submission-only events. Tsarukyan and Musumeci are both known for their exceptional grappling skills, making this an anticipated clash between two of the best grapplers in the world.

The details

According to Gadelha, Tsarukyan and Musumeci have both agreed to the matchup, but Tsarukyan needs to first clear it with the UFC since he is an active fighter in the promotion. The bout will be contested at a catchweight to account for the size difference between the two athletes, as Musumeci typically competes at a lower weight class. Gadelha stated that they have had conversations with both fighters and are now moving forward with finalizing the matchup for an August event.

  • Tsarukyan and Musumeci agreed to the match last week.
  • The bout is expected to take place in August 2026.

The players

Arman Tsarukyan

A professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC's lightweight division, known for his exceptional grappling skills.

Mikey Musumeci

A professional grappler who competes in submission-only events, known for his technical mastery of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Claudia Gadelha

The head of jiu-jitsu strategy and business development for UFC BJJ, the promotion organizing the grappling match between Tsarukyan and Musumeci.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I talked to Arman last week, he wants to do it. He said yes to the match but he has some agreements with the UFC. He has to talk to Hunter [Campbell] and see when his next fight in the UFC is and then we might see that happen in August.”

— Claudia Gadelha, Head of Jiu-Jitsu Strategy and Business Development, UFC BJJ

“We moved forward with Mikey and Arman. We had conversations with the two of them, they have agreed and we're moving on with that one now and let's see what happens after that.”

— Claudia Gadelha, Head of Jiu-Jitsu Strategy and Business Development, UFC BJJ

What’s next

Tsarukyan needs to clear the matchup with the UFC before the bout can be finalized for an August event.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated grappling match between two of the sport's elite competitors will showcase the growing popularity of submission-only events and further establish the UFC BJJ promotion as a premier destination for high-level grappling talent.