UFC Vegas 49 video: Arman Tsarukyan bloodies Joel Alvarez with vicious elbow before earning second-round stoppage

Arman Tsarukyan is looking for top 10 opponents after extending his winning streak with a dominant TKO win over Joel Alvarez at UFC Vegas 49.

The 25-year-old lightweight bludgeoned Alvarez with an elbow strike in the opening round that caused a nasty cut that had blood just streaming across his face. Tsarukyan continued to pound on Alvarez, causing further injury in round 2.

The end came at 1:57 in the second round with Tsarukyan securing his fifth straight victory in a row.

“I like to surprise every one of my [opponents],” Tsarukyan said afterwards. “I wanted to show how I improve my striking, wrestling, I can do everything. My game plan was to get him to the floor and make him feel tired. It was possible and it made me very happy. I think I deserve a top 10 and get fights with a top fighter. I’m getting better everyday.”

Facing an opponent taller and more muscular, Tsarukyan attempted to overcome Alvarez’s advantage in size by taking down Alvarez early. Tsarukyan was methodical as he came crashing down with punches and elbows from the top while Alvarez was shifting his hips back and forth to threaten with submissions while also looking to scramble free to get back to his feet.

Late during the first round, Tsarukyan hit with an elbow strike that cut Alvarez in half. A river of blood rushed out from the mouth.

In between rounds the cutman tried to stop the bleeding, but Tsarukyan was quick to grab another takedown and hit the nose with his punches.

With Alvarez in bloody clothes, which obviously limited his vision of the strike coming at him from the front, Tsarukyan began shooting shots, eventually leading to the end.

Tsarukyan might just be one of the best prospects to come along in the lightweight division in quite some time and he would love the chance to eventually avenge his only loss in the UFC after he dropped a decision to Islam Makhachev in a Fight of the Night performance back in 2019.

“It is my goal [to face Islam Makhachev again],” Tsarukyan stated. “Because it’s going to be a good match. Because we’re the best of our division, it will be the most exciting match. I think so.”