Arman Tsarukyan is scheduled to compete at RAF 9 on May 31. His opponent for the bout will be Kelon Jimison. This represents Tsarukyan's next contest outside the UFC, continuing his activity in the regional promotion. The post provides limited additional details about the matchup or the event itself. RAF 9 will take place at the end of May.
Arman Tsarukyan is set to step back into action outside the UFC when he faces Kelon Jimison at RAF 9 on May 31.
Tsarukyan, known by his nickname "Ahalkalakets," enters the bout as the number-one ranked lightweight contender in the UFC, carrying a professional record of 23-3-0. The 29-year-old Russian trains out of American Top Team and brings a well-rounded offensive game to the cage. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he averages 3.85 significant strikes landed per minute at a 50 percent striking accuracy rate, while also posing a consistent grappling threat with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. The appearance at RAF 9 marks a continuation of his activity in the regional promotion alongside his UFC commitments.
No verified data for Kelon Jimison was available in the AgentMMA database at the time of publication, limiting additional context on the matchup from his side.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked UFC lightweight, making any competitive outing significant for his divisional standing
- A regional bout allows him to maintain sharpness and ring time between high-profile UFC assignments
- Details surrounding RAF 9, including venue and further card information, remain sparse ahead of the May 31 date
