Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber at RAF 08 via technical superiority with a dominant 13-1 score in the third round. The event featured multiple wrestling matches with notable results. Kyle Snyder defeated Rizabek Aitmukhan by points 12-6, while Zahid Valencia defeated Aiden Sinclair 8-2. Shamil Sharipov scored a first-round pinfall victory over Anthony Cassioppie. Helen Maroules defeated Alexis Janiak 10-0 via technical superiority in round two. Other results included victories for Real Woods, Jason Nolf, Vladimer Khinchegashvili, Lance Palmer, Jordan Oliver, and Lucas Byrd in their respective matches.
Arman Tsarukyan picked up a victory outside the MMA cage on April 19, 2026, defeating Urijah Faber by technical superiority at RAF 08, with the match ending in the third round at a commanding 13-1 score.
Tsarukyan, 29, is best known as the top-ranked lightweight contender in the UFC, carrying a 23-3 professional MMA record while competing out of American Top Team. The Russian fighter stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the sport's most complete athletes, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy alongside a strong wrestling output of 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Faber, the 47-year-old American veteran nicknamed "The California Kid," holds a 35-11 MMA record and has long been associated with wrestling and grappling competition throughout his career. Training out of his own Team Alpha Male setup, the five-foot-six Sacramento native has a 67-inch reach and has historically mixed striking with a steady takedown game averaging 1.54 per 15 minutes.
RAF 08 featured a full card of wrestling bouts. Kyle Snyder defeated Rizabek Aitmukhan 12-6 on points, while Zahid Valencia topped Aiden Sinclair 8-2. Shamil Sharipov earned a first-round pinfall win over Anthony Cassioppie, and Helen Maroules stopped Alexis Janiak 10-0 by technical superiority in the second round. Real Woods, Jason Nolf, Vladimer Khinchegashvili, Lance Palmer, Jordan Oliver, and Lucas Byrd all recorded wins in their respective matchups.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's dominant 13-1 technical superiority result underscores his wrestling credentials ahead of any future UFC lightweight title pursuit
- Faber's continued participation in grappling competition at 47 speaks to his lasting engagement with combat sports
- The event highlighted crossover between MMA-recognized athletes and competitive wrestling circuits
