Arman Tsarukyan vs Ankit Baiyanpuria - Hype Armenia Preview, start time & where to watch
(Courtesy : Hype Armenia)
The crossover fight will headline Hype Armenia this weekend.
UFC’s top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is facing Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria. The two will face off in a submission-only grappling match; submission-only means victory can be secured only by a joint lock or choke.
Tsarukyan has been out of the UFC Octagon since November 2025 after defeating Dan Hooker. Recent reports have linked him to a potential rematch against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in September. However, that is yet to be confirmed.
Despite his UFC absence, Tsarukyan has continued competing in other combat sports, including freestyle wrestling and submission grappling. In his latest appearance, he suffered a loss to former UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington at RAF 11, marking his first defeat in freestyle wrestling.
While Tsarukyan is one of the elite fighters in the UFC lightweight division, in contrast, Baiyanpuria has neither a professional MMA record nor an officially recognized grappling record.
Baiyanpuria gained mainstream acclaim with his ‘75-day challenge’ that transformed him into one of the biggest influencers in India. In 2023, after the success of his online challenge, Baiyanpuria also got a chance to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a cleanliness drive as part of the ‘Swacchata Hi Seva campaign’.
However, he has trained in combat sports hubs such as Thailand and Dagestan, Russia, working alongside experienced coaches and high-level fighters.
The showdown will serve as the main event for Hype Fighting’s latest card, set for Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Tashir Arena in Yerevan, Armenia. The Bare-knuckle title clash between Nikarkho and Khachatryan is also on the card for the show this weekend.
Let us now take a look at the full and detailed preview along with the match card and telecast details for the show.
Hype Armenia: Tsarukyan vs Baiyanpuria – Match Card
Main Card
- Arman Tsarukyan vs Ankit Baiyanpuria (Main Event)
- Lev Sarkisyan vs Krishan
- Nikarkho vs David Khachatryan (Bare Knuckle Title Fight)
- Francesco vs Strannik
- Abbi vs Venom
- Buffalo vs Berserk
- Raja vs Vipin
Prelims
- Palach vs Davletmirzaev
- Koko vs Manukyan
- Magomaev vs Oganesyan
- Ataev vs Ibragimov
- Ismailov vs Narek
- Galstyan vs Tursunkulov
Hype Armenia: Tsarukyan vs Baiyanpuria – Telecast Details
- Date: August 1, 2026
- Start Time: 17:00 local time (5:00 PM Armenia Time | 6:30 PM IST)
- Venue: Tashir Arena, Yerevan, Armenia
- Live Broadcast: Streaming live on W.TV
Earlier events from the promotion are availbale on YouTube and the upcoming event will likely stream on Hype Fighting’s YouTube channel for international fans. Yet to be confirmed.
When and where is the fight between Arman Tsarukyan & Ankit Baiyanpuria taking place?
The two will collide at Hype Fighting, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Tashir Arena in Yerevan, Armenia.
Does Ankit Baiyapuria have any MMA or grappling experience?
No, Ankit Baiyapuria does not have a documented background in professional MMA or competitive grappling. He is best known as a fitness influencer, making this appearance a crossover into the combat sports world.
Where can fans tune in to watch the fight live?
The event airs from 17:00 local time (6:30 PM in India) and will air on W.TV. International fans will likely be able to watch it on Hype Fighting’s YouTube channel. However, this is yet to be confirmed.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.