Abubakar Nurmagomedov Turns Down Arman Tsarukyan, Eyes Wrestling Icons

Abubakar Nurmagomedov has been floated as a grappling opponent for Arman Tsarukyan, and his answer was short: no. The 17-4-1 UFC welterweight (6 KO, 4 SUB) says he'd rather test himself against elite freestyle wrestlers than trade takedowns with the octagon's No. 2-ranked lightweight, a 24-3 fighter coming off a first-round knockout of Mauricio Ruffy.

Instead of Tsarukyan, Nurmagomedov threw out names that carry weight on the mat: Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Dauren Kurugliev. His stated goal is bigger than a single super fight — he wants to drag freestyle wrestling back into the spotlight and remind people why the sport is worth watching in the first place.

Why Skip Tsarukyan

On paper, a Nurmagomedov-Tsarukyan wrestling match sells itself. Two Dagestani-schooled grinders, plenty of name recognition, an easy hook. But Abubakar clearly isn't chasing the obvious matchup. Passing on a top-ranked UFC lightweight to call for Olympic-caliber wrestlers is a statement about where his interest actually lies.

It also reframes his ambitions. Nurmagomedov's MMA form has been rocky — he's coming off a split-decision loss to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and sits unranked at 170. A pivot toward grappling exhibitions against wrestling royalty gives him a stage where his pedigree, not his UFC ranking, is the currency.

The Bigger Play

Sadulaev is one of the most decorated freestyle wrestlers on the planet, and Kurugliev is a serious name in his own right. Booking either would be a coup, and it would put Abubakar squarely in the promotional business of selling the sport, not just himself.

Whether any of this materializes is another matter — grappling super fights are easy to call for and hard to sign. But the intent is clear enough. Nurmagomedov wants the mat, the giants, and the attention that comes with them, and he's willing to wave off a ready-made UFC crossover to get it.