Report - Arman Tsarukyan vs. Joel Alvarez Booked For UFC Event On February 26

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari - Zuffa LLC

An intriguing lightweight matchup between the #13 ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan, and the recently minted #15 ranked challenger, Joel Alvarez has been added to a UFC Fight Night event on February 26. -- with a location, venue, or billing for the showcase yet to be determined by the organization.

Unbeaten in his last four outings, Armenian contender, Tsarukyan most recently took home a first round knockout victory against Christos Giagos at UFC Vegas 37 in September. The first round victory earned Tsarukyan a Performance of the Night bonus.

Also undefeated in his last four Octagon appearances, Gijon-born finisher, Alvarez missed the lightweight limit for his last pairing against Thiago Moises en route to a similarly dominant first round knockout win at UFC Vegas 42 at the start of November. News of the pairing between Tsarukyan and Alvarez was first reported by Igor Lazorin. 

17-2 as a professional, Tsarukyan's sole UFC loss came back in April 2019 where he suffered a unanimous decision defeat against the #4 ranked contender, Islam Makhachev in his promotional debut.

In the time since, the highly-touted 25-year-old has lodged a trio of unanimous decision successes opposite Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Davi Ramos, and Matt Fervola prior to his knockout win against Giagos back in September. 

For the 19-2 submission artist, Alvarez, the Spaniard has lodged a whopping 16 separate submission triumphs across the course of his 21 fight career.

The 25-year-old, akin to Tsarukyan, also suffered a unanimous decision loss in his promotional bow -- dropping a unanimous judging defeat against Damir Ismagulov. 

In four victories since, Alvarez has knocked back Danillo Belluardo and Moises with strikes, in between a couple of submission wins against the retired, Joseph Duffy and Alexnder Yakovlev.

UFC on ESPN+ 61 takes place on February 26. with a lightweight headliner featuring the #3 ranked contender, Beneil Dariush, and the aforenoted, #4 rated, Islam Makhachev slated for the event.