The ongoing rivalry between Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas continues to make headlines as their anticipated grappling rematch, originally scheduled for March 11, appears to be cancelled. The two fighters, who previously clashed at RAF06, have a heated history that now extends beyond the octagon and into submission grappling. Let’s take a closer look at what happened, why the rematch is off, and what this could mean for their future matchups.
The Origins of the Tsarukyan-Poullas Feud
The feud between Tsarukyan and Poullas started at RAF06, where the top UFC lightweight contender faced Poullas in a closely contested match. What was expected to be a routine bout quickly escalated into a brawl, signaling deep tension between the fighters. Tsarukyan eventually secured a narrow victory, but Poullas was determined not to let the story end there.
Within days of the initial fight, discussions began about a rematch under the Hype FC banner, this time in the submission grappling format. Poullas, however, made it clear that regardless of the outcome, he was pushing for a future wrestling match to settle the score.
Poullas Pushes for Another Wrestling Match
During his appearance on Uncrowned’s Ariel Helwani Show, Georgio Poullas elaborated on his strategy. He revealed that while a grappling match was on the table, his primary focus was on securing another wrestling bout with Tsarukyan.
“Of course he doesn’t want to wrestle me again because he knows he’s going to lose. He felt my pressure. The only reason he won was because of the penalty points,” Poullas explained.
Poullas’ approach was strategic: he agreed to the grappling match largely as a means to ensure Tsarukyan would commit to a future wrestling match. This mindset underscores Poullas’ confidence in his wrestling skills while acknowledging that submission grappling may not be his strongest suit.
Rematch Cancelled by RAF Officials
Despite the initial excitement, the highly anticipated grappling rematch has officially been called off. According to Chad Bronstein, co-founder of RAF Wrestling, no contract was finalized for the March 11 match, and the rematch is now cancelled.
This announcement means that Poullas’ plan to leverage a submission grappling bout as a stepping stone to a wrestling rematch will no longer proceed as scheduled. Instead, Poullas is focusing solely on arranging a second wrestling match with Tsarukyan, hoping to avenge his narrow loss in their first encounter.
The Razor-Thin First Match
The first wrestling match between Tsarukyan and Poullas ended with a score of 5-3 in favor of the UFC star. The close result only fueled Poullas’ determination for a trilogy bout, as he believes that he has what it takes to turn the tables in a future wrestling contest.
Poullas emphasized the significance of this opportunity, saying:
“The only reason I’m doing the grappling match is to get my get-back in this wrestling match. He wants to choke me out? He wants to squeeze me? Good s—, bro. You can choke me out. You can squeeze me tight. I don’t care.”
His remarks highlight the psychological chess game between the two fighters, where Poullas is willing to endure a less favorable matchup to secure a chance at redemption in his preferred discipline.
Implications for Tsarukyan’s UFC Career
The ongoing feud and repeated scheduling issues could have long-term consequences for Arman Tsarukyan. Analysts have suggested that if Tsarukyan continues to avoid direct wrestling rematches with Poullas or similar opponents, he risks stalling his path toward a UFC title shot.
Tsarukyan’s victories in the octagon have been impressive, but critics argue that he must diversify his approach, especially against high-pressure wrestlers like Poullas. Avoiding rematches may protect his record temporarily but could limit his growth and opportunities for championship contention.
What’s Next for the Fighters?
With the grappling rematch officially cancelled, fans are left wondering what comes next for this intense rivalry. Poullas has made it clear that he is still pursuing a wrestling rematch, while Tsarukyan may need to decide whether to accept the challenge or focus on other UFC opponents.
The feud between these two athletes is far from over. Whether in submission grappling or wrestling, fans can expect more drama, intense competition, and possibly another trilogy that could define both fighters’ careers.
