In what would have been one of the strangest grappling matchups of 2025, actor Tom Hardy was offered a submission-only grappling match against UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan who was ranked number one in the division at the time. The offer came ahead of Tsarukyan’s December 30 appearance at a Hype FC event in Armenia with Hardy given first refusal before Tsarukyan’s team moved on to another opponent.
Messages shared between Hardy and Tsarukyan’s camp show that the actor was approached about competing on December 30 in Yerevan under submission-only rules. Hard allegedly declined due to filming commitments but responded respectfully making it clear the decision was not financial.
“Arman, firstly this is a very kind offer. Where and why has it come from? It appears to be far more money than any professional BJJ practitioner would usually earn. So it’s not about that,”
He explained that he was tied up with film work through March and could not realistically prepare or compete in the timeframe offered. While he expressed interest in serious training opportunities the timing made the match impossible.
With Hardy unavailable Tsarukyan instead competed against fellow UFC MMA star Sharabutdin “Shara ” Magomedov at the December 30 Hype FC event. The match paired two high-level MMA stars from different weight classes with Tsarukyan known for his wrestling and Magomedov for his striking rather than grappling.
The six-minute submission-only bout ended in a draw. Tsarukyan controlled position throughout securing multiple takedowns and dictating the pace but was unable to finish. The result reportedly cost Tsarukyan’s brother Artur Tsarukyan a $100,000 bet placed on a win. The event drew around 8,000 spectators to the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex creating a strong home atmosphere.
Hardy’s involvement was not a publicity stunt. The actor is a legitimate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt with years of consistent training and competition. He began training seriously in his early forties and has since competed regularly in the UK.
Renowned black belt Tom DeBlass who has trained Hardy has spoken publicly about his work ethic.
He shows up, he drills 100% of the time and truly is obsessed with learning,
Tom is very strong for his size and he does not stop moving even when he gets tired. He trains like a man who has experienced a lot in life and he has zero fear of looking bad,
Grappler Craig Jones has also confirmed Hardy’s legitimacy and the actor has trained with high-level figures including Renzo Gracie, Roger Gracie, John Danaher and members of the Daisy Fresh team.
Unlike many celebrity practitioners Hardy competes openly. In 2022 he won gold medals at tournaments in Wolverhampton and Milton Keynes. One opponent described the experience by saying he was
probably the toughest competitor I’ve ever had. He certainly lived up to his Bane character, that’s for sure.
Hardy was promoted to purple belt in June 2023 by Tomasz Rydzewski a Roger Gracie black belt following a strong competitive run at blue belt.
His commitment has come at a cost. Hardy has undergone two knee surgeries related to training injuries including a meniscus tear. Despite this he continues to train two to three times per week while filming and more frequently when his schedule allows. He also volunteers with children’s classes at his academy.
The proposed match between Hardy and Tsarukyan would have been a mismatch on paper with an elite MMA wrestler facing a hobbyist competitor by professional standards. Still Hardy’s real experience and willingness to compete would have made it more than a novelty.
For now the match remains a what-if. Tsarukyan continues his push toward a UFC title opportunity while Hardy keeps training and competing quietly in the UK.
As Hardy once said about taking on difficult challenges,
I genuinely am keen to take on the painful journey of being brave enough to try something new, because I’d like to not look back and say, ‘I regret not making the effort to do something that was scary.’
For the moment that journey continues on local mats rather than under bright lights.
