Arman Tsarukyan defeats Urijah Faber 13-1 at RAF08

Arman Tsarukyan and Urijah Faber crossed paths at RAF08 on April 19, 2026, with Tsarukyan earning a dominant technical superiority victory by a score of 13-1 in the third round. The event also featured a slate of wrestling bouts, including Kyle Snyder defeating Rizabek Aitmukhan 12-6 and Shamil Sharipov pinning Anthony Cassioppi in the first round, alongside wins for Zachid Valencia, Helen Maroulis, Real Woods, Jason Nolf, Vladimer Khinchegashvili, Lance Palmer, Jordan Oliver, and Lucas Byrd.

Tsarukyan, known by the nickname Ahalkalakets, carries a 23-3-0 professional MMA record and holds the number-one ranking in the UFC lightweight division. The 29-year-old Russian fighting out of American Top Team has built a reputation as one of the most complete threats in his weight class, landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while also averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Faber, nicknamed The California Kid, is a veteran of the sport at 47 years old with a storied 35-11-0 record. The American representing Team Alpha Male stands five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach and has long been regarded as one of the pioneers of mixed martial arts, particularly in the lighter weight classes. He averages 2.65 significant strikes per minute and has historically contributed on the mat as well, averaging 1.54 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Tsarukyan's commanding performance reinforces his standing as the top-ranked lightweight contender
• The wide 13-1 technical superiority score underscores the depth of his grappling control throughout the bout
• Faber, at 47, remains an active competitor willing to test himself against elite-level opposition
• Palmer also notched a win on the card, adding to his 23-6-0 career record