Arman Tsarukyan dominated Urijah Faber in the main event of RAF 8, winning by a decisive 13-1 scoreline. The grappling match showcased Tsarukyan's wrestling superiority over the former WEC champion. This submission grappling contest took place under the Rumble on the Rock banner. Details on the specific ruleset and format are limited in the original report. The victory demonstrates Tsarukyan's well-rounded skills beyond traditional MMA competition.
Arman Tsarukyan added another impressive performance to his resume on April 19, 2026, submitting grappling legend Urijah Faber by a dominant 13-1 scoreline in the main event of RAF 8, held under the Rumble on the Rock banner.
Tsarukyan, the number-one ranked lightweight contender in the UFC, came into the contest as one of the most complete fighters in the world. The 29-year-old Russian, who trains out of American Top Team, carries a professional MMA record of 23-3 and backs it up with elite wrestling credentials. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, Tsarukyan averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition alongside a striking accuracy of 50 percent — numbers that speak to his all-around threat on any surface.
For Faber, the submission grappling match represented yet another competitive outing for one of combat sports' most enduring figures. The 47-year-old Sacramento native, known as "The California Kid," holds a career MMA record of 35-11 and built his reputation as a former WEC bantamweight champion with sharp submission instincts. He averages 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes and lands 2.65 significant strikes per minute, but in this format Tsarukyan's wrestling proved too much to handle.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's 13-1 scoreline signals clear wrestling and grappling dominance over a decorated veteran submission specialist
- The result reinforces his credentials as a complete fighter ahead of any potential UFC lightweight title opportunity
- For Faber, competing at 47 against a top-ranked active contender highlights his continued willingness to test himself against elite competition
