Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber with a dominant 13-1 score at a RAF event. During the match, Tsarukyan threw Faber off the mat and executed a high-amplitude throw. The technical superiority was evident throughout the bout. This was described as one of the main UFC RAF news stories of the week. The victory showcased Tsarukyan's wrestling dominance over the former champion.
Arman Tsarukyan added another dominant performance to his resume, defeating Urijah Faber by a lopsided 13-1 score at a recent RAF event, with highlights of the bout drawing significant attention across MMA circles this week.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters this stretch of his career as the number-one ranked lightweight contender, carrying a 23-3 record while competing out of American Top Team. The Russian fighter, who stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, has built a reputation as one of the most well-rounded threats in the division. His numbers reflect that versatility — he lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. Against Faber, that wrestling prowess was on full display, with Tsarukyan throwing his opponent off the mat and landing at least one high-amplitude throw that underscored his technical superiority on the feet and on the ground.
Faber, the 47-year-old California Kid from the United States, carries a career record of 35-11 and remains one of the most decorated figures in combat sports history. Standing five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach, Faber has long relied on his submission game and grappling instincts, averaging 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes throughout his career. However, Tsarukyan's takedown volume and physical athleticism proved too much to manage across this contest.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's dominant wrestling performance reinforces his credentials as the top lightweight contender
- The 13-1 scoreline signals near-total technical control, with Faber unable to mount any sustained offensive threat
- The reach advantage of five inches in Tsarukyan's favor played into his ability to control distance and dictate where the fight took place
- Faber's submission-oriented game was neutralized by Tsarukyan's explosive, high-amplitude grappling exchanges
