Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber by technical superiority with a score of 13-1 in the third round at RAF 08. The victory was part of a wrestling event featuring multiple competitive bouts. Other notable results included Kyle Snyder defeating Rizabek Aitmukhan by points 12-6, and Shamil Sharipov pinning Anthony Cassiopi in the first round. The event showcased high-level wrestling competition across various weight classes with decisive victories.
Arman Tsarukyan added a wrestling victory to his combat sports resume on April 19, 2026, defeating Urijah Faber by technical superiority with a score of 13-1 in the third round at RAF 08.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters 2026 as the number-one ranked lightweight contender in MMA with a professional record of 23-3. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and has built his MMA reputation on relentless pressure and a takedown rate of 3.26 per 15 minutes. His 50 percent striking accuracy further underlines the well-rounded skill set he brought into the wrestling arena.
Faber, the 47-year-old American veteran known as "The California Kid," carries a storied MMA record of 35-11 and has long been one of the sport's most recognizable figures. A product of Team Alpha Male, the five-foot-six Californian has demonstrated durability and competitive spirit well beyond his prime fighting years, but the gap in age and athleticism proved decisive against a fighter of Tsarukyan's caliber.
RAF 08 was a wrestling-format event, and the bout was decided under wrestling rules rather than MMA scoring. Tsarukyan's dominance on the mat was reflected in the lopsided 13-1 scoreline. The card also featured Kyle Snyder defeating Rizabek Aitmukhan by points 12-6, and Shamil Sharipov pinning Anthony Cassiopi in the first round.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's commanding wrestling performance reinforces his credentials as a complete, well-rounded competitor at the elite level.
- The result offers a rare competitive data point on Faber, now 47, in a grappling context against a top-tier opponent.
- For Tsarukyan, staying active in wrestling competition complements the takedown-heavy approach that defines his MMA game.
