Arman Tsarukyan dominated Urijah Faber at RAF 8, winning by technical superiority with a 13-1 score in the third round. The wrestling event featured multiple bouts with notable results including Kyle Snyder defeating Rizabek Aitmukhan 12-6, and Shamil Sharipov pinning Anthony Cassiopi in the first round. Other winners included Zachid Valencia, Helen Marulis via 10-0 technical superiority, and Jason Nolf. The event showcased high-level wrestling competition across multiple weight classes.
Arman Tsarukyan added a wrestling victory to his combat sports resume at RAF 8 on April 19, 2026, defeating Urijah Faber by technical superiority with a 13-1 score in the third round.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters 2026 as one of the most dangerous fighters in MMA's lightweight division, currently ranked number one in the world with a professional record of 23-3-0. 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 a smothering grappling-and-striking combination. His UFC numbers reflect that pressure style — 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes and a striking accuracy of 50 percent. His performance at RAF 8 demonstrated that his wrestling credentials extend well beyond the cage.
Faber, the 47-year-old American veteran known as "The California Kid," holds a career MMA record of 35-11-0 and remains one of the most decorated fighters ever produced by the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. A product of Team Alpha Male, the Sacramento native stands five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach. His lone point in the contest was a reminder that even at this stage of his career, Faber remains a competitive presence on the mat.
The event also produced notable results elsewhere on the card, with Kyle Snyder defeating Rizabek Aitmukhan 12-6, Shamil Sharipov pinning Anthony Cassiopi in the first round, and Helen Marulis winning by 10-0 technical superiority. Zachid Valencia and Jason Nolf also picked up victories across multiple weight classes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's 13-1 dominant score over a veteran like Faber underscores the depth of his grappling base heading into 2026
- As the number-one ranked lightweight in MMA, any competitive activity keeps Tsarukyan sharp and visible at the top of a loaded division
- Faber's willingness to compete in high-level wrestling at 47 against elite opposition continues to define one of MMA's most enduring careers
