Arman Tsarukyan dominated Urijah Faber at RAF 08, winning by technical superiority with a commanding 13-1 score in the third round. The wrestling event featured multiple notable bouts including Kyle Snyder's 12-6 victory over Rizabek Aitmukhan and Shamil Sharipov's first-round pinfall over Anthony Cassiopi. Helen Marulis achieved a technical fall over Alexis Yaniak in the second round with a 10-0 score. Jason Nolf, Jordan Oliver, and Lance Palmer also secured victories in their respective matches. The event showcased high-level wrestling competition with outcomes decided by points, technical superiority, and pins across multiple weight classes.
Arman Tsarukyan added a wrestling victory to his resume at RAF 08 on April 19, 2026, defeating Urijah Faber by technical superiority with a commanding 13-1 score in the third round.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters this period of his career as the number-one 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 his MMA reputation on relentless wrestling and volume striking, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy alongside 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. His performance at RAF 08 underscored the grappling foundation that underpins his mixed martial arts game.
Faber, the 47-year-old veteran known as The California Kid, holds a 35-11 MMA record and built his name as one of the most decorated fighters in bantamweight and featherweight history, representing Team Alpha Male out of the United States. Standing five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach, Faber has long been recognized for his submission threat and competitive heart, but the 13-1 scoreline reflected Tsarukyan's clear dominance on the mat.
Why it matters
- The result highlights Tsarukyan's wrestling credentials at a dedicated grappling event, reinforcing his all-around skillset ahead of any future lightweight title pursuit.
- Faber, competing well into his late 40s, continues to test himself against elite-level competition across combat sports formats.
- The gap in reach — Tsarukyan holds a five-inch advantage at 72 inches versus Faber's 67 — likely played a role in controlling range and scoring positions throughout the bout.
