Arman Tsarukyan and Beneil Dariush squared off in a Lightweight contest earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 2, 2023) at UFC Austin inside Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
Dariush opened with a couple big left leg swings. His left kick was scoring early, landing with a thud. Tsarukyan circled the outside and flashed some jabs, but Dariush was the man in charge for the first minute.
That all changed in a single exchange. Tsarukyan flashed a double jab, threw a right hand, and grabbed the double-collar tie. He fired a knee that just barely missed its target, and as his knee was returning to its stance, Tsarukyan unfurled a nasty right hand that caught Dariush straight on the chin. The veteran never saw it coming, and he hit the floor unconscious.
What’s left to say about such a tremendous and quick knockout? Tsarukyan destroyed his opponent and picked up the best win of his career. He could not have risen to the occasion any higher. He deserves a Top Five opponent next, and it ought to be a clear-cut title eliminator.
Will that happen given the crowded Lightweight ranks? Who knows. Either way, Tsarukyan retained his status as a likely future champion, showing off lights-out power like never before.
That’s a scary man.
Result: Arman Tsarukyan defeats Beneil Dariush via first-round knockout
For complete UFC Austin: “Dariush vs. Tsarukyan” results and play-by-play, click HERE!