According to the vestnik_mma Telegram channel, Arman Tsarukyan has purchased the RAF professional freestyle wrestling promotion. The post suggests that Tsarukyan's ownership could shift the landscape for young fighters, who may now pursue opportunities in RAF rather than the UFC due to potential earnings and popularity gains. This development comes alongside the announcement of Tsarukyan facing Tony Ferguson at RAF 10 on June 13. The post reflects speculation that RAF could become a major competitor for fighter recruitment. No official confirmation from Tsarukyan or RAF has been independently verified.
Arman Tsarukyan has reportedly purchased the RAF professional freestyle wrestling promotion, according to a post from the Telegram channel vestnik_mma. The report, which has not been independently verified and carries no official confirmation from Tsarukyan or RAF, also announces that the Russian lightweight contender will face Tony Ferguson at RAF 10 on June 13.
Tsarukyan, 29, holds a 23-3-0 professional record and is ranked first in the UFC lightweight division. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and competes out of an orthodox stance. A legitimate wrestling threat, he averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes and posts a striking accuracy of 50 percent, landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute.
Ferguson, nicknamed El Cucuy, is a 42-year-old American fighter from Knuckleheadz MMA carrying a 26-11-0 record. He stands five-foot-eleven with a 76-inch reach and is one of the more active strikers in the sport, averaging 4.91 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy. He also averages 0.9 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting the submission-heavy style that defined his peak years.
Why it matters
- If confirmed, Tsarukyan's ownership of RAF could give him direct influence over fighter recruitment and matchmaking outside the UFC ecosystem.
- The vestnik_mma post speculates that RAF could emerge as a competitor for young talent, with fighters potentially drawn by earnings and exposure opportunities.
- A Tsarukyan-versus-Ferguson matchup at RAF 10 would pit the top-ranked UFC lightweight contender against a veteran with name recognition, raising the profile of the promotion significantly.
- The unverified nature of the ownership claim means the full scope of Tsarukyan's involvement remains unclear.
