Arman Tsarukyan dominated Urijah Faber at RAF 8, winning by technical superiority with a 13-1 score in the third round. The wrestling match showcased Tsarukyan's overwhelming dominance over the former UFC bantamweight contender. The RAF 8 event featured multiple wrestling matches including Kyle Snyder defeating Rizabek Aitmukhambetov 12-6, and Zachid Valencia beating Aiden Sinclair 8-2. Other notable results included Shamil Sharipov pinning Anthony Cassiopi in the first round, and Helen Marulis achieving a 10-0 technical superiority victory over Alexis Yaniak in the second round. The event demonstrated the crossover appeal of MMA fighters competing in pure wrestling formats.
Arman Tsarukyan added a wrestling accolade to his MMA resume on April 19, 2026, submitting Urijah Faber to a 13-1 technical superiority defeat in the third round at RAF 8, a pure wrestling competition featuring several notable crossover athletes.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters 2026 as the No. 1 ranked lightweight contender in the UFC with a professional MMA record of 23-3. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team and stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, has long been regarded as one of the more complete wrestlers in his division. His MMA numbers back that up — he averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, the foundation of a grappling game that translated convincingly to the wrestling mat at RAF 8.
Faber, the 47-year-old veteran known as "The California Kid," holds a career MMA record of 35-11 and built his reputation as a former UFC bantamweight title contender and submission specialist under the Team Alpha Male banner. Standing five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach, Faber has remained active in combat sports long past his competitive prime, and his willingness to step onto the wrestling mat against a decorated grappler like Tsarukyan speaks to his competitive nature.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's 13-1 margin demonstrated elite wrestling ability that reinforces his credentials as a top lightweight contender
- The result highlights the growing crossover appeal of MMA fighters competing in pure wrestling formats through events like RAF
- For Faber, the appearance continues a pattern of high-profile competitive outings despite being well removed from his UFC peak
- RAF 8 featured a strong card of wrestling matchups, with Kyle Snyder, Shamil Sharipov, and Helen Marulis also posting notable results on the same night
