Written by Patricky Pitbull faces off with Arman Tsarukyan | Photo via ADXC
Top-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan was aiming to challenge for UFC gold after beating Charles Oliveira in April 2024, but being forced off a title clash with then-champion Islam Makhachev in January pushed him down the list. He’s staying active in the grappling circuit, defeating Makkasharip Zaynukov in a “boring” match earlier this month and now facing Patricky Pitbull at ADXC in Russia, and the Brazilian wants to use this opportunity to boost his own MMA career.
Pitbull vs. Tsarukyan headlines ADXC 10 in a catchweight of 176 pounds, five three-minute rounds of action on May 31 in Moscow, and the former Bellator champion wouldn’t be surprised to get a call from the UFC with a statement victory over one of its top talents.
“I believe so. Nothing is impossible,” Pitbull told MMA Fighting of signing with the UFC with a win. “I never say never. I can’t say it’s impossible. It’s not impossible. The UFC, I see it’s more like, ‘Damn, you’re hyped up. Come here, get your shot at showing your work.’ I think it’s possible, yes. It’s a great opportunity for me to put on a good performance and bring more eyeballs.”
Pitbull is one of the biggest knockouts artists in Bellator history, scoring 11 of his 16 Bellator wins by knockout, including ones against Peter Queally, Josh Thomson and Ryan Couture. He’s also done well inside the RIZIN ring, finishing current 155-pound champion Roberto Satoshi with leg kicks and punches. He’s lost his past three, however, against Alexander Shabliy, Clay Collard and Bruno Miranda.
The 39-year-old veteran hasn’t won a MMA fight by submission in 15 years, but could finally do it at ADXC since punching and kicking out not an option. Pitbull said, however, that he had to adapt his gameplan on late notice after being informed in Russia that leg attacks won’t be allowed as a request by the UFC, to avoid serious injuries.
“If he makes a mistake, I’ll catch his neck,” Pitbull said. “I even know how. If he exposes himself too much with takedowns, I’ll piss him off and get him frustrated before he shoots from long distance and I attack his neck, take his back with quick jiu-jitsu berimbolo.”
“He’s shown more [grappling] in his MMA fights than this last grappling Karate Combat match,” he continued. “I even think he lost this match [at Karate Combat], but they have him the win. In the Charles ‘do Bronx’ [Oliveira] fight was good, he’s shown good guillotine and arm-triangle choke defense. He’s tough and very durable.”
Pitbull hopes that a win at ADXC boosts his MMA career again after signing with Global Fight League and watching the promotion crumble before its very first show. Pitbull is hopeful that a UFC offer could come, but doesn’t rule out a return to Japan for another run under the RIZIN banner.
“I’m already in talks with people in Japan, seeing some possibilities of booking fights there,” said Pitbull, who went 3-1 in RIZIN with a trio of knockouts over Satoshi, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Luiz Gustavo. “People love me in Japan because I beat the champion there. It’s another great opportunity to go there and show my best. I beat the champion, I had a beef with that a****** Kleber Koike, so it’s a good idea to go back and beat people up. Who knows, maybe fight for the belt in the future.”