Ahman Zarkian is back! Unfortunately, it is not inside the octagon.
In January, “Ahalkalakets” was scheduled to challenge UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, the first ever pay-per-view headliner. However, the emperor bowed from the match just 36 hours before the battle and suffered a back injury. Instead, Renato Moicano was promoted from main card to main main and challenged the “Dagestani Destroyer” with a super short notification.
As for the Tsarkian, he was essentially driven behind the line. Dana White has made it clear that Armenians need to “return to drawings” if they want to win another title opportunity.
The emperor has yet to book his return to the Octagon, but fans will have the opportunity to see him active as part of Dubai’s Karate Battle 54 on Friday night, May 2nd. As Ariel Herwani reported, the emperor will compete in a pit submission series contest with McKashalip Zainukov, a fellow MMA fighter and teammate of Islamic Makhachev.
Joining the Tsarkian at KC54 will be two outstanding former UFC
The cards also feature former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev and “Smilin” Sam Alvey.
You can check out the complete Karate Battle 54 cards below.
Main Card
- Heavyweight World Championships: Sam Alby (USA) vs Tyron Spon (Suriname)
- Bantamweight Bout: Muhammad Mokaev (UK) vs Bolat Zamanbekov (Kazakhstan)
- 200lbs catchweight match: Jayden Aynode (Australia) vs Kiamlian Abbasov (Kyrgyzstan)
- Bantamweight match: Ali Zarinfa (Iran) vs Adam Noy (France)
- 170lbs catch-level match: ossama asssley (Morocco) vs Naimov Firdavshan (Tajiciistan)
spare
- Light Heavyweight Match: Ali Aliyev (Russia) vs Mohammad Oseli (Lebanon)
- 170lbs catch wart match: Saifullakh Khambakhadov (Russia) vs Hossein Mollamadi (Iran)
- Lightweight match: Sajad Sattali (Iran) vs Mo Abdurahman (UK)
- Heavyweight match: Sergei Veselkin (Russia) vs Bruno Chavez (Brazil)
- Lightweight Match: Abdullah Chandio (Pakistan) vs TBD
- W Strawight Bout: Li Lishan (China) vs Asha Roka (India)
- Welterweight match: Roslan Bendania (Tunisia) vs Amuro Abdeen (Egypt)
- Catchweight match: Brandon Jensen (US) vs Davud Tirmizi (UK)