Sadulaev says Tsarukyan could place top five at Russian wrestling championships

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Abdulrashid Sadulaev has publicly endorsed the wrestling ability of UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, telling Red Corner MMA that Tsarukyan would place in the top five at the Russian national wrestling championships.

“Arman frequently joined us in camps,” Sadulaev said. “He trained with the best wrestlers. Also he always worked with one of our best coaches, it’s one of Russia’s honored coaches — Vladimir Modosyan. I think his wrestling skills are above average. For example, if he competed at the Russian championships he could’ve made it in Top 5.”

Sadulaev, widely regarded as one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time, noted that Tsarukyan regularly trains alongside elite Russian wrestlers and has long worked under Modosyan, one of the country’s most respected coaches. The endorsement carries particular weight given Sadulaev’s standing in the sport.

Tsarukyan (23-3) has been absent from the UFC lightweight title picture despite being widely considered the division’s most deserving contender. In the interim, he has channelled his competitive instincts into wrestling, remaining undefeated on the RAF mats — though his opponents have largely been MMA veterans or social media personalities.

He is scheduled to face wrestling influencer Keelon Jimison, known as Mugzy, at RAF 9 on May 30, before a more high-profile grappling matchup against former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson at RAF 10 on June 13.