RAF 08 took place featuring multiple wrestling bouts with notable results. In the main highlight, Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber by technical superiority with a score of 13-1 in the third round. Other significant results included Kyle Snyder defeating Rizabek Aitmukhan 12-6 on points, Zachid Valencia beating Aiden Sinclair 8-2, and Shamil Sharipov pinning Anthony Cassiopi in the first round. Helen Marulis dominated Alexis Yaniak with a 10-0 technical superiority victory in round two. Additional winners included Real Woods, Jason Nolf, Vladimer Khinchegashvili, Lance Palmer, Jordan Oliver, and Lucas Bird in their respective matchups.
Arman Tsarukyan added a wrestling title to his combat sports resume at RAF 08 on April 19, 2026, defeating MMA veteran Urijah Faber by technical superiority with a lopsided 13-1 score in the third round.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters 2026 as one of MMA's most dangerous lightweights. The Russian competitor, who trains out of American Top Team, carries a 23-3-0 professional record and holds the number-one ranking in the UFC lightweight division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he has built his MMA reputation on relentless grappling — averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes — while also posting a 50 percent striking accuracy that underscores his well-rounded skill set. His dominant showing against Faber at RAF 08 demonstrated that his wrestling credentials extend well beyond the cage.
Faber, known as "The California Kid," is a 47-year-old American fighting legend who spent the bulk of his career competing at bantamweight and featherweight. Representing Team Alpha Male, he holds a career MMA record of 35-11-0 and remains one of the sport's most recognizable figures. At five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach, he has always relied on speed and toughness, averaging 2.65 significant strikes landed per minute across his career. Taking on a decorated younger grappler in a pure wrestling format proved a steep challenge, as the 13-1 scoreline reflects.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's commanding technical superiority victory reinforces his credentials as an elite wrestler, not just an MMA striker
- Faber's willingness to compete in a pure wrestling environment at age 47 against a top-ranked lightweight speaks to his competitive longevity
- RAF 08 also featured notable performances from Kyle Snyder, Jason Nolf, Helen Marulis, and Lance Palmer, signaling the event as a meaningful showcase for combat sports wrestling crossover talent
