Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber by technical superiority with a 13-1 score in the third round at RAF 8, a wrestling event. The card featured multiple wrestling matches including victories by Kyle Snyder over Rizabek Aitmukhan (12-6), Zahid Valencia over Aiden Sinclair (8-2), and Shamil Sharipov over Anthony Cassioppi via pinfall in the first round. Helen Marulis defeated Alexis Yaniak by technical superiority 10-0 in the second round, while other notable results included Real Woods, Jason Nolf, Vladimir Khinchegashvili, Lance Palmer, Jordan Oliver, and Lucas Byrd all winning their respective matches. The event showcased a mix of decision victories, technical superiority wins, and one pinfall finish.
Arman Tsarukyan added a wrestling victory to his resume on April 19, 2026, defeating Urijah Faber by technical superiority at RAF 8, a grappling-focused event, with the bout stopped at a 13-1 score in the third round.
Tsarukyan, 29, carries a 23-3 professional MMA record and is ranked No. 1 in the UFC lightweight division. The Russia-born fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, has built his reputation as one of the most complete threats in the 155-pound class, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 50 percent accuracy rate. His technical superiority win at RAF 8 underscores the wrestling credentials that underpin his MMA game.
Faber, now 47 years old, remains one of combat sports' most recognizable figures. "The California Kid" holds a 35-11 MMA record accumulated across a career that helped define the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. The Team Alpha Male founder showed up to compete on the wrestling mat, though Tsarukyan's grappling control proved too much to manage over three rounds.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's dominant showing on the mat reinforces why he is considered the top lightweight contender, with elite takedown volume backing his all-around skill set.
- Faber's willingness to compete in wrestling events at 47 highlights his continued engagement with combat sports beyond MMA.
- RAF 8 also featured wins by Kyle Snyder, Zahid Valencia, Shamil Sharipov, and Helen Marulis, signaling the event as a legitimate crossover showcase for wrestlers and MMA fighters alike.
