Arman Tsarukyan is set to compete in grappling again, this time against Kuat Hamitov at RAF GEO Georgia on July 11 in Tbilisi. The promotion also announced additional matchups: a bout featuring Tony Ferguson on June 13 at RAF 10, and a contest with Colby Covington on July 18 at RAF 11.
Arman Tsarukyan is headed back to the grappling mat, with the number-one-ranked UFC lightweight set to face Kuat Hamitov at RAF GEO Georgia on July 11 in Tbilisi. The promotion confirmed the matchup as part of a broader slate of announcements that also includes appearances by Tony Ferguson and Colby Covington at separate RAF events.
Tsarukyan, 29, carries a 23-3-0 professional MMA record and trains out of American Top Team. The Russian standout stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and has built his reputation on a well-rounded game that includes 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside striking accuracy of 50 percent. His participation in a grappling format underscores the submission and wrestling dimensions of his skillset.
Also on the RAF calendar, Tony Ferguson is booked for a bout on June 13 at RAF 10. The 42-year-old American, nicknamed El Cucuy, holds a 26-11-0 record and competes out of Knuckleheadz MMA. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 76-inch reach, Ferguson has long been known for his unorthodox offensive output, averaging 4.91 significant strikes landed per minute across his career.
Colby Covington, meanwhile, is slated to appear at RAF 11 on July 18. The 38-year-old, nicknamed Chaos, owns a 17-5-0 record and fights out of MMA Masters. He stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach and has made his name as one of the sport's elite wrestlers, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's grappling appearance keeps the top-ranked lightweight active ahead of any future title opportunity
- Ferguson and Covington joining the RAF schedule adds notable MMA names to a growing grappling promotion
- The back-to-back events on June 13 and July 11 and 18 signal an ambitious expansion period for RAF
