Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber in the main event of RAF 08 in a grappling match. The UFC lightweight contender dominated the former WEC champion with a lopsided 13-1 score. The grappling event showcased Tsarukyan's wrestling and submission skills outside the octagon. Faber, a legendary bantamweight who has been retired from MMA competition for years, was unable to match Tsarukyan's pace and technique. The result further demonstrates Tsarukyan's grappling credentials as he continues his MMA career.
Arman Tsarukyan stepped outside the octagon on April 19, 2026, to compete at RAF 08, a grappling event where he defeated MMA legend Urijah Faber by a commanding 13-1 score in the main event.
Tsarukyan, ranked first in the UFC lightweight division at just 29 years old, has built a reputation as one of the most complete fighters in the world. The Russian product of American Top Team carries a 23-3 professional record and backs it up with elite wrestling numbers, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. His striking is equally sharp, connecting at a 50 percent accuracy rate and landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute. The lopsided scoreline at RAF 08 was a further showcase of those grappling credentials in a dedicated submission and wrestling format.
Faber, 47, is a Hall of Fame-caliber bantamweight who competed professionally to a 35-11 record before stepping away from MMA competition. Known throughout his career as "The California Kid," the Team Alpha Male founder and former WEC champion stood five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach — giving away five inches of reach to Tsarukyan. While Faber averaged 1.54 takedowns per 15 minutes during his MMA career, he was unable to match the pace and technical output of the younger, active contender in this grappling setting.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan reinforces his grappling credentials at a critical point in his lightweight title campaign
- The 13-1 scoreline signals a clear dominance gap between an active top contender and a long-retired competitor
- Faber's participation, while notable for his legend status, carries no MMA ranking implications given his retirement
- The result adds to the profile of a lightweight ranked first in the world ahead of what figures to be a busy 2026
