RAF announces two upcoming events with Chimaev, Tsarukyan on lineups

The Russian Absolute Fighting (RAF) promotion has confirmed two major events on the summer calendar, with Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan both featured prominently across the cards.

RAF 10 goes down June 13 in St. Louis, headlined by Chimaev against an opponent identified as Denis, with Tsarukyan vs. Tony Ferguson and Aaron Pico vs. Lance Palmer also on the card. RAF 11 follows on July 18 in Milwaukee, where Tsarukyan is booked opposite Colby Covington. Tsarukyan is slated to appear at seven RAF events throughout 2026.

Chimaev enters his bout as the number-one ranked middleweight and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound standings, carrying a 15-1 record at age 32. The UAE-based Swede fighting out of Allstars Training Center is one of the more complete fighters in the division, landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 60 percent accuracy while also averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Ferguson, now 42 years old and holding a 26-11 record, brings one of the sport's most durable resumes into his matchup with Tsarukyan. The El Cucuy nickname has been synonymous with high output, as the orthodox American out of Knuckleheadz MMA averages 4.91 significant strikes per minute and owns a 76-inch reach that has caused problems for opponents for years.

Pico, 29, brings a 14-5 record into his bout with Palmer. The Jackson-Wink product stands five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach and has developed into one of the more dangerous finishers in the sport, averaging a remarkable 8.96 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Chimaev's appearance keeps the top-ranked middleweight active on the RAF circuit ahead of any potential title opportunities
• Ferguson's inclusion tests where the veteran stands after a lengthy and storied career
• Tsarukyan's seven-event 2026 slate signals RAF is building a promotion around the lightweight contender