Oliveira Thought Tsarukyan ‘Went Out’ In Late Choke Attempt

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Arman Tsarukyan couldn’t be deterred in the biggest fight of his career at UFC 300 this past weekend (April 13, 2024).

Every fight on the historic UFC 300 card had something to talk about when all was said and done. Unsurprisingly, the Baddest Motherf—ker (BMF) title fight between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway at Lightweight stole the show. However, right before the chaos ensued, Tsarukyan and former Lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, battled it out in a high-level chess match en route to a split decision Tsarukyan victory.

The fight came down to effective grappling as Tsarukyan had control while Oliveira threatened with submissions throughout. Ultimately, round three was the decider, as Oliveira latched on a late D’arce choke in hopes of stealing back the round, which he did on one judge’s scorecard. Tsarukyan managed to survive, but in the moment, Oliveira thought he put the top contender out cold.

“30 seconds [left], it was tight, one of the submissions I like the most, D’Arce choke,” Oliveira told Canal Encarada (h/t MMA Fighting). “I thought he went out, that’s why I had my tongue out, joking, you know? But I don’t know, it’s part of the game.

“Some things aren’t meant to be,” he continued. “Guillotine, I don’t lose this position. Arman was a super tough guy. I connected some strikes, had bad and good moments. Three rounds, three submissions locked in, and time ran out. It wasn’t meant to be.”

Oliveira, 34, falls to 1-2 in his last three fights (34-10, 1 no contest) after the loss. Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Tsarukyan continues to gain momentum as his winning streak now sits at four (22-3) overall.

A title shot hung in the balance for the winner of the fight, as Oliveira expected beforehand. “Do Bronx” knew he had to finish Tsarukyan in round three. Now, all he can do is reflect and come back stronger.

“I had to finish him,” Oliveira said. “It went to the judges, and it’s their call, there’s nothing we can do. If you go back to the first round, you’ll see I tried to finish him more and they scored it for me. The second one was closer and I ended up with a triangle choke locked in, and they gave it to him. The third, he was on top, holding me there, but wasn’t doing jiu-jitsu or anything, and I finished with a choke locked in, and they still have it to him. There’s not much we can do.”

For complete UFC 300 results and LIVE play-by-play click HERE.