Arman Tsarukyan will face Tony Ferguson in a wrestling match at a RAF league tournament on June 13. The bout appears to be a professional wrestling or grappling contest rather than an MMA fight. This marks an unusual crossover for both fighters, who are primarily known for their UFC careers. The post includes a poll asking fans to choose between Tsarukyan and Ferguson. Additional details about the rules or format of the contest are not provided in the announcement.
Arman Tsarukyan and Tony Ferguson are set to meet outside the Octagon on June 13, when the two UFC lightweights square off in a wrestling match at a RAF league tournament. The contest is a grappling or professional wrestling competition rather than an MMA fight, marking an unusual crossover for both men.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters the event as the number-one ranked lightweight contender in the UFC, carrying a 23-3-0 record under the American Top Team banner. The Russian fighter stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's most active grapplers, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy sits at 50 percent, rounding out a well-balanced skill set that makes him a natural fit for a wrestling-format contest.
Ferguson, nicknamed El Cucuy, is a 42-year-old veteran from the United States who trains out of Knuckleheadz MMA. He holds a 26-11-0 professional record and stands five-foot-eleven with a 76-inch reach. Over his career he has averaged 4.91 significant strikes per minute and 0.9 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting the relentless, unorthodox style that made him a fan favorite during his lightweight peak.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the UFC's top-ranked lightweight, so any public appearance draws attention to his broader profile ahead of a potential title shot.
- Ferguson's participation signals continued activity as he explores formats beyond traditional MMA competition.
- The rules and scoring format for the RAF tournament bout have not been disclosed, leaving the precise nature of the contest unclear.
- The matchup puts two Orthodox fighters with contrasting grappling profiles — Tsarukyan's high takedown volume against Ferguson's submission-oriented ground game — on a competitive wrestling platform.
