RAF 8 wrestling event took place with multiple notable results. Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber by technical superiority 13-1 in the third round. Kyle Snyder won by decision 12-6 over Rizabek Aitmukhan. Zahid Valencia defeated Aiden Sinclair 8-2 by decision. Shamil Sharipov pinned Anthony Cassiopi in the first round. Helen Maroulis won by technical superiority 10-0 in the second round over Alexis Janiak. Additional bouts featured victories by Real Woods, Jason Nolf, Vladimer Khinchegashvili, Lance Palmer, Jordan Oliver, and Lucas Byrd.
Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan showcased his wrestling credentials at RAF 8 on April 19, 2026, dismantling MMA veteran Urijah Faber by technical superiority with a 13-1 score in the third round. The card also featured a decision win for Olympic champion Kyle Snyder and several other notable results across the card.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters 2026 as the number-one ranked lightweight in the UFC with a 23-3 record fighting out of American Top Team. The Russia-born fighter stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and has built his MMA reputation on relentless pressure, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy alongside a strong 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. His dominant wrestling performance against Faber underlined that the grappling side of his game is every bit as sharp as his striking.
Faber, the 47-year-old American legend who carried a 35-11 record into the bout, has long been respected for his own grappling acumen despite competing primarily at bantamweight and featherweight during his MMA career. Standing five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach, "The California Kid" and Team Alpha Male staple was simply overwhelmed on the mat, surrendering a 13-1 margin before the third round concluded.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's lopsided wrestling victory reinforces his credentials as a complete fighter ahead of a potential UFC lightweight title shot.
- Faber's participation at 47 demonstrates his continued competitive activity well into the twilight of a decorated career.
- Kyle Snyder's 12-6 decision over Rizabek Aitmukhan, along with wins by Zahid Valencia, Helen Maroulis, Jason Nolf, and others, signals that RAF 8 served as a high-profile showcase for crossover wrestling and combat sports talent.
