The Bout
Poullas' most high-profile and controversial competitive appearance came at RAF 6 on February 28, 2026, held at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, where he faced UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan won the bout by a 5-3 decision, but the scoreline was far from the defining story of the evening.
Throughout the match, Poullas employed rough tactics — including aggressive hand touches and persistent physical contact — that drew visible frustration from Tsarukyan's corner. The friction built steadily across the duration of the bout, setting the stage for what followed.
Post-Bout Brawl
When the final whistle sounded, Tsarukyan did not wait long to respond: he shoved and then struck Poullas immediately after the bout's conclusion, setting off a melee that drew in both teams and event security personnel. The chaotic scene produced an ironic footnote to the ongoing takedown challenge narrative — in the course of attempting to restore order, a security guard took Poullas down during the brawl.
Poullas was seen receiving medical attention with a neck brace in the aftermath. He stated that he had been "jumped" and that family members were forced to defend him during the incident. Tsarukyan offered a contrasting account, arguing that Poullas' conduct during the match — including alleged eye pokes and slaps — had provoked the confrontation, and noting that he had deliberately waited until the official end of competition before retaliating.
Fallout and Rematch Speculation
The fallout extended onto social media in the days following the event, with both athletes exchanging words publicly and discussions of a potential rematch circulating through combat sports media. As of early March 2026, no rematch had been formally announced and the situation between the two remained unresolved.