Arman Tsarukyan dominated Urijah Faber with a 13-1 victory in their RAF wrestling match. The bout featured dramatic moments including Tsarukyan throwing Faber beyond the boundaries of the mat. Tsarukyan also executed a highlight-reel amplitude throw during the contest. The lopsided score reflects Tsarukyan's complete control throughout the match. This performance marks a significant moment in the UFC RAF crossover wrestling event series.
Arman Tsarukyan handed Urijah Faber a lopsided 13-1 defeat at a UFC RAF crossover wrestling event on April 19, 2026, capping the match with a spectacular amplitude throw and, at one point, launching Faber completely beyond the boundaries of the mat.
Tsarukyan, 29, is the top-ranked lightweight contender in the UFC, carrying a 23-3 professional MMA record into this grappling crossover appearance. The Russian fighter, who stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and trains out of American Top Team, is a natural fit for wrestling competition — he averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes inside the cage, among the highest rates in the lightweight division.
Faber, the 47-year-old California native known as "The California Kid," is one of the most decorated fighters in MMA history with a 35-11 record built largely on his wrestling and submission game at Team Alpha Male. Standing five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach, he averages 1.54 takedowns per 15 minutes and has long been regarded as a crafty, experienced grappler. Against Tsarukyan, however, he found little room to operate, with the scoreline reflecting near-total dominance by his younger opponent.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's performance reinforces his elite grappling credentials ahead of any potential lightweight title pursuit
- The 13-1 margin demonstrates a significant physical and competitive gap between the two at this stage of their careers
- The RAF crossover format continues to showcase UFC fighters in pure wrestling competition, drawing attention to the grappling foundations of MMA
