Arman Tsarukyan's Unbelievable Alligator Choke Attempt While Awaiting UFC Return

The adventurous exploits of Arman Tsarukyan outside the fighting cage appear to be escalating in intensity and eccentricity.

As he anticipates his next Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bout, Tsarukyan has maintained a notably active schedule. Since his split decision triumph over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024, he has competed only once in the Octagon.

Originally, Tsarukyan was slated to face then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January 2025. However, he was compelled to withdraw from the event during fight week due to an undisclosed injury. Following this, he immersed himself in the grappling circuit, engaging in nine wrestling and submission matches across various promotions worldwide.

In November of last year, the 29-year-old Armenian fighter also secured a submission victory against Dan Hooker at a UFC event held in Qatar. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, he has already participated in four competitions outside of the main MMA promotion.

Beyond his competitive endeavors, Tsarukyan has cultivated a strong presence on social media. He frequently shares his lavish culinary experiences and makes appearances on diverse live streams, often alongside prominent influencers such as Nina-Marie Daniele. This active engagement has significantly boosted his public profile. A notable recent incident involved him confronting individuals who mistook him for a streamer and attempted to provoke a fight, which he managed effectively.

Tsarukyan has now taken his string of extraordinary adventures to an unprecedented level by humorously attempting to apply a chokehold on a live alligator.

Arman Tsarukyan Attempts to Subdue a Real Alligator

Following a recent decision victory against Georgio Poullas last Saturday, Tsarukyan visited the Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale just two days later. His visit was part of a live stream featuring Nina Drama and streamer N3ON.

During the broadcast, the UFC's second-ranked lightweight contender boldly entered the alligator enclosure. He even sat on the back of the formidable reptile and lightheartedly inquired about attempting a rear-naked choke on it.

Despite assurances from the park staff regarding the safety protocols in place, Tsarukyan wisely opted against placing his arm near the alligator's powerful jaws. Instead, he playfully mimicked the choke for the cameras. The alligator remained under the vigilant control of nearby trainers as the MMA fighter playfully acted as if he were riding it, bouncing gently in the process.

Arman Tsarukyan is reportedly scheduled for an upcoming grappling match against former UFC veteran Urijah Faber on April 18, which is set to take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.