Indian fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuria to face UFC's Arman Tsarukyan at Hype Fighting event in Armenia
The crossover fight takes place this weekend.
Indian fitness star Ankit Baiyanpuria will face UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan this weekend at a Hype Fighting event in Armenia. The two will collide in a submission-only grappling match, which has become an unexpected crossover match between the two.
The submission-only showdown between Tsarukyan and Baiyanpuria serves as the main event for Hype Fighting’s latest card, set for Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Tashir Arena in Yerevan, Armenia. Submission-only means victory can be secured only by a joint lock or choke.
The event will also feature the bare-knuckle title clash between Nikarkho and Khachatryan. Furthermore, the card features four fighters from India, including Baiyanpuria.
Ankit Baiyanpuria will step into the combat sports world for the first time
Tsarukyan has been away from the UFC octagon since his win over Dan Hooker, which came in November 2025, while there are rumors of him facing former Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira in a rematch in September.
Tsarukyan has remained active, partaking in freestyle wrestling and Submission grappling. In his most recent outing, he suffered defeat against former UFC Welterweight title contender Colby Covington at RAF 11. This was his first loss in freestyle wrestling.
While Tsarukyan remains at the top of the UFC lightweight division, Baiyanpuria has no professional mixed martial arts or official professional grappling record. However, he has spent time training in Thailand and Dagestan, Russia, alongside high-level coaches and fighters.
This unexpected crossover fight with the UFC star marks Baiyanpuria’s first appearance in the combat sports world.
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.
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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.