Arman Tsarukyan dominated Urijah Faber in their RAF wrestling match, winning 13-1. During the bout, Tsarukyan threw Faber beyond the mat boundaries and executed an impressive high-amplitude throw. The lopsided score reflected Tsarukyan's complete dominance throughout the contest. This victory showcases Tsarukyan's wrestling credentials outside of MMA competition. The bout was highlighted as one of the main news stories from UFC RAF this week.
Arman Tsarukyan demonstrated his wrestling pedigree away from the octagon this week, defeating Urijah Faber by a dominant 13-1 score in a RAF wrestling bout highlighted among the main stories from UFC RAF.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters this period as the number-one ranked lightweight contender carrying a 23-3 professional MMA record. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and has long backed up his grappling reputation inside the cage, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition at a 50 percent striking accuracy. The lopsided result — punctuated by a high-amplitude throw and at least one instance of Faber being sent beyond the mat boundaries — was a clear reflection of his wrestling base.
Faber, the 47-year-old veteran known as The California Kid, competes out of Team Alpha Male and carries a 35-11 career MMA record. The Sacramento native stands five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach and built his legacy largely on a combination of boxing and submission grappling, averaging 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes throughout his career. Against Tsarukyan on the wrestling mat, however, he found little answer for his opponent's takedown-heavy, explosive style.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's performance reinforces his credentials as one of the most complete wrestlers in the lightweight division heading into any future title pursuit.
- The 12-point margin underscores the gap between sport-specific wrestling technique and generalist grappling at the elite level.
- For Faber, still active in combat sports at 47, the appearance continues to demonstrate his willingness to compete across disciplines well into the later stage of his career.
