Arman Tsarukyan will face Tony Ferguson at the RAF 10 professional freestyle wrestling tournament on June 13. Commentary suggests that Tsarukyan has acquired ownership of the RAF promotion, though this has not been officially confirmed. The speculation is that young fighters may now prefer RAF over UFC due to opportunities for greater popularity and financial rewards in the Russian market. This development could signal a strategic business move by Tsarukyan to establish himself beyond active competition. The wrestling match represents a unique crossover opportunity for both MMA veterans.
Reports suggest Arman Tsarukyan may have acquired ownership of the RAF professional freestyle wrestling promotion, with the Armenian-Russian lightweight set to compete at the RAF 10 tournament on June 13 against former UFC contender Tony Ferguson.
The ownership speculation has not been officially confirmed, but commentary surrounding the event has pointed to Tsarukyan as the promotion's new backer. Unverified reports indicate the move could reflect a broader strategic ambition, with the theory that young fighters may find greater financial reward and popularity in the Russian wrestling market than through traditional MMA pathways.
Tsarukyan, 29, holds the number one ranking in the UFC lightweight division and carries a professional record of 23-3-0. Fighting out of American Top Team, the Russia-born fighter brings elite grappling credentials to the crossover bout, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes and posting a striking accuracy of 50 percent throughout his MMA career.
Ferguson, known as El Cucuy, enters the freestyle wrestling contest at 42 years old with a 26-11-0 record. The American veteran trains out of Knuckleheadz MMA and built his reputation as one of the most aggressive fighters in the lightweight division, averaging 4.91 significant strikes landed per minute across his career, along with a notable submission threat at 0.9 attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- A confirmed ownership stake would mark a significant business expansion for a top-ranked active fighter
- The event raises questions about whether the Russian combat sports market could draw elite MMA talent away from the UFC pipeline
- The style matchup pits Tsarukyan's high-volume wrestling against Ferguson's unorthodox striking and submission game in an unfamiliar ruleset for both
