Arman Tsarukyan scored a dominant victory over Urijah Faber at RAF 08, winning by technical superiority with a score of 13-1 in the third round. After the match, Tsarukyan issued a callout to Colby Covington, promising to aim for a 10-0 score and stating he would not concede a single point, unlike the one point he gave Faber out of respect for his age. Tsarukyan declared that he would make people forget Covington as a fighter and humiliate him as a wrestler. The event also featured other notable results, including Kyle Snyder defeating Rizabek Aitmukhanov 12-6, and Helen Marulis winning by technical superiority 10-0 in the second round. Details on the specific ruleset or weight class were not provided in the post.
Arman Tsarukyan dominated Urijah Faber at RAF 08 on April 19, stopping the match by technical superiority with a lopsided 13-1 score in the third round. The bout took place under a grappling or combat wrestling ruleset, with specific weight class and format details not disclosed.
Tsarukyan, 29, carries a 23-3-0 professional MMA record and is ranked number one in the UFC lightweight division. The Russian fighter representing American Top Team has built a reputation as one of the most well-rounded athletes in the sport, landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. At five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he demonstrated clear physical and technical dominance on the night.
Faber, the 47-year-old veteran known as The California Kid, holds a 35-11-0 career record and has long been associated with Team Alpha Male. Standing five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach, the American icon has remained active well past his UFC prime. Tsarukyan acknowledged Faber's legacy directly after the bout, indicating the single point he conceded was a deliberate gesture of respect for the older fighter's age and stature in the sport.
Following the win, Tsarukyan issued a pointed callout to Colby Covington, the 38-year-old welterweight contender who holds a 17-5-0 record and averages 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes. Tsarukyan stated he intends to win by a 10-0 margin without conceding a single point, adding that he plans to make people forget Covington as a fighter and expose him as a wrestler.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's dominant grappling performance reinforces his credentials ahead of any potential lightweight title run
- The callout of Covington, a known wrestling-heavy fighter, sets up a potential cross-promotional or grappling-format clash
- Faber's willingness to compete at 47 continues to make him a recognizable draw in combat sports exhibitions outside the UFC
