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Tag: Arman Tsarukyan

  • Colby Covington Bests Chris Weidman, Will Face Arman Tsarukyan

    Colby Covington Bests Chris Weidman, Will Face Arman Tsarukyan

    Colby Covington may have recently retired from the UFC, but his run in the RAF continues successfully, defeating Chris Weidman in the RAF 09 co-main event.

    Following the matchup, Covington and Tsarukyan agreed to an RAF battle in the wrestling promotion’s July event in Milwaukee.

    Weidman scored first blood when using Covington’s momentum to score a throw, taking two points. A wild scramble sequence caused a review at the end of the first period, where the officials determined the score to be 4-2 in Weidman’s favor.

    Covington, however, battled right back. His cardio outlasted Weidman’s, with Covington scoring a takedown late in the second to tie the matchup. Weidman then gave up a point when put on the shot clock in the third, and he was unable to score a takedown, giving Covington the win.

    Following the matchup, Covington was given the opportunity to respond to Tsarukyan, who called Covington out following his win earlier in the night. The two agreed to their July bout.

    Covington made his RAF debut at RAF 05, defeating Lance Palmer. He then battled Dillon Danis at RAF 07, dominating in that matchup.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Gets Thrown & Pushed But Dominates For Tech Fall

    Arman Tsarukyan Gets Thrown & Pushed But Dominates For Tech Fall

    Arman Tsarukyan continues to be a force to reckon with in RAF, dominating Keelon Jimison for a technical fall victory in the opening bout of RAF 09.

    The bout wasn’t perfect for Tsarukyan, as he let up an early four-point throw to Jimison. Tsarukyan, however, locked in the rest of the way, scoring a takedown and consecutive rolls to quickly rack up points.

    The bout ended in a technical fall after Tsarukyan’s domination on top led to a 16-5 score.

    Tsarukyan called out Colby Covington for his next fight.

    Tsarukyan now improves to 5-0 in RAF. He’s competed in every RAF event in 2026, scoring wins over Lance Palmer, Georgio Poullas (twice), and Urijah Faber prior to tonight’s bout.

    Jimison is now 0-2 in RAF. He made his debut at RAF 02, losing to Cayden Henschel.

  • Ilia Topuria Had A Lot To Say About Arman Tsarukyan’s Grappling And None Of It Was A Compliment

    Ilia Topuria Had A Lot To Say About Arman Tsarukyan’s Grappling And None Of It Was A Compliment

    Ilia Topuria says his next title defense after UFC Freedom 250 will be against Arman Tsarukyan, and delivered a blunt warning about what awaits the contender in the octagon.

    Topuria faces Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout on June 14 at the White House. Speaking to DeepCut, he addressed Tsarukyan’s patience while waiting for his shot.

    “The fight with Arman is going to be a good fight. The thing is that they used to take a lot of confidence because they fight with fighters that — his last fight was against Dan Hooker. He has, I don’t know, 20 losses in his professional career. It’s like, bro, you never, ever, like forget about it, never ever in your entire life you faced someone like me.”

    Topuria dismissed the idea that Tsarukyan’s renowned grappling would pose a significant problem.

    “It’s like, I’m going to embarrass you in front of everyone. Because with him, he thinks that he’s tough, he thinks that like his wrestling is I don’t know what. Like, he feels that he’s an Olympic champion. Anyway, if he’s the best in the world in wrestling, when it comes to the octagon, bro, I’m the king. In there, I’m the king. I do with you whatever I want to f*cking do. And I told him like I’m going to break his jaw in the first round.”

    “He’s going to try to take me down since the beginning of the fight and when he’s going to realize that, bro, it’s not that easy. And then he’s going to start to panic. And then when I break his jaw, bam. In front of all his crowd, all his people, his family, who gives a f*ck. Bam!”

    Tsarukyan has won his last three fights over Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira, and Dan Hooker and has been waiting for his title shot since being passed over for the interim bout that went to Gaethje.

  • Ilia Topuria Takes Brutal Shot at Arman Tsarukyan, Claims His Rich Lifestyle Is Fake – ‘He’s A Loser’

    Ilia Topuria is preparing for one of the biggest fights of his career, but that hasn’t stopped him from taking aim at a top contender waiting in the wings.

    As “El Matador” gears up to face Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout at the UFC White House event on June 14, he has turned his attention toward Arman Tsarukyan, who is set to serve as the official backup for the main event.

    Tsarukyan has built an online reputation for showcasing a lavish lifestyle, frequently posting photos of luxury cars, expensive watches, and high-end experiences. But Topuria isn’t convinced any of it reflects reality.

    Speaking in an interview with Alvaro Colmenero, the reigning UFC lightweight champion didn’t hold back.

    “He has the mind of a little kid,” Topuria said. “He’s a man-child who is playing a game. I think he’s playing the rich guy game. He’s neither rich nor is his father, I’m telling you. He’s just not.”

    Topuria doubled down by comparing Tsarukyan’s behavior to people he considers genuinely wealthy.

    “I know a huge amount of rich people, none of them, none, like not a single one of them is like that,” he said. “He’s playing a game of buying a car and sending it to Russia to resell it. And I think he’s not even rich, I’m telling you. He’s a loser.”

    Despite the harsh criticism, Tsarukyan’s performances inside the cage continue to speak for themselves. The 29-year-old Armenian has been on a strong run, stacking multiple wins and positioning himself near the top of the division.

    Still, “El Matador” appears skeptical that Tsarukyan is eager to face him if the opportunity arises, even with his role as the designated backup for the June 14 headliner.

  • UFC Star Arman Tsarukyan Jumps Barrier To Confront Namo Fazil After Heated Feud At Rousey vs Carano Card

    Arman Tsarukyan found himself at the center of controversy once again, this time during the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card in Los Angeles.

    The incident unfolded after Namo Fazil secured a submission victory over Jake Babian in the final preliminary bout. During his post-fight interview, Fazil used the moment to call out “Ahalkalakets”, signaling that tensions between the two had been building throughout fight week.

    Moments later, Tsarukyan, who was in attendance, reacted from the stands. Video circulating online shows the top UFC lightweight contender attempting to climb over the barrier before being stopped. He later made his way backstage, where he confronted Fazil again as both fighters exchanged heated words before security intervened.

    The bad blood stems from earlier comments Tsarukyan made during a livestream, where remarks about the Kurdish community sparked backlash. Fazil, who represents Kurdistan, responded publicly during the week, warning that the comments would not go unanswered.

    Despite the confrontation, the situation did not escalate into a physical altercation, with multiple people separating both camps.

    Tsarukyan’s actions have once again drawn attention away from his in-cage accomplishments. The No. 1 lightweight contender has not fought since his win over Dan Hooker in late 2025 and is still awaiting his next UFC booking.

    The 29-year-old Armenian is also set to serve as the backup fighter for the UFC Freedom 250 main event between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje on June 14.

  • Namo Fazil Gets Submission Win, Calls Out Arman Tsarukyan

    Namo Fazil Gets Submission Win, Calls Out Arman Tsarukyan

    Namo Fazil won a wild battle in the MVP MMA featured prelim against Jake Babian — then had quite the wild post-fight show.

    Fazil and Babian had a wild opening round filled with striking sequences, both landing big on one another as momentum swung back and forth. Babian found moments of success on the ground, but Fazil answered with heavy combinations and pressure.

    Fazil then put things away in round two by landing powerful punches on Babian against the fence before locking up an anaconda choke.

    Namo Fazil Has Post-Fight Confrontation With Arman Tsarukyan At MVP MMA

    Fazil then had a noteworthy post-fight interview, calling out co-main event competitors Nate Diaz and Mike Perry, as well as Arman Tsarukyan.

    Following the fight, Tsarukyan appeared to try and jump the fence to get after Fazil.

    Fazil continues the win streak he’s been on since 2023.

  • Dana White Confirms Arman Tsarukyan As Official Backup Fighter For Historic UFC Freedom 250 Headliner

    Dana White Confirms Arman Tsarukyan As Official Backup Fighter For Historic UFC Freedom 250 Headliner

    Arman Tsarukyan officially has a major assignment lined up for the UFC’s historic White House card.

    During a recent appearance on Nina Marie Daniele’s stream, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Tsarukyan will serve as the official backup fighter for the lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.

    The event, scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., is expected to be one of the most ambitious productions in UFC history. The card will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States and is set to feature a custom-built outdoor arena with thousands of attendees on site, including military personnel and invited guests.

    With the main event carrying massive stakes, the UFC appears determined to avoid any last-minute complications by securing one of the division’s top contenders as a replacement option.

    Arman Tsarukyan Remains Ready While Waiting For UFC Return

    Although Tsarukyan has not competed inside the Octagon since defeating Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar in November, the Armenian contender has remained highly active outside traditional MMA competition.

    The No. 2-ranked lightweight has recently focused on grappling and wrestling, competing at multiple RAF events while staying in fighting shape. Most recently, he picked up a technical fall victory over former UFC champion Urijah Faber at RAF 08.

    Tsarukyan is also scheduled to compete again later this month against influencer wrestler Mugzy at RAF 09 before appearing at another RAF event in June featuring Tony Ferguson.

    Despite the outside commitments, Tsarukyan has consistently made it clear that his priority remains the UFC lightweight title picture. He had previously volunteered to serve as a backup for major championship fights, including last year’s UFC 317 main event.


  • Arman Tsarukyan Says McGregor vs. Khabib Proves UFC Rewards Chaos Over Competition

    Arman Tsarukyan Says McGregor vs. Khabib Proves UFC Rewards Chaos Over Competition

    Arman Tsarukyan has a theory about what the UFC actually values in 2026, and he believes his own non-stop activity outside the cage is proof the promotion has embraced it.

    Speaking to Patrick Bet-David, Tsarukyan argued that drama and viral moments have become more important to the sport’s growth than the fights themselves. He cited the most significant period in UFC history as evidence.

    “It’s good for the UFC. You think they didn’t like it? They liked it. The sport is getting big because of drama, not because of fighting. Like Conor, Khabib, Diaz — the trash talk, everything.

    Not just fighting, but what’s going on before the fight. The bus thing went viral too. Because of that, that fight was the biggest fight in the UFC. If it wasn’t for the conflict before that, yeah, Conor-Khabib, they talk s— in the press conference, they fight, it’s gone.”

    Tsarukyan last competed in October when he submitted Dan Hooker. His most recent significant win before that came in 2024 when he defeated Charles Oliveira by decision.

    He does not currently have a fight booked but is widely expected to challenge the winner of the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje lightweight title fight at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. He has also offered to serve as backup for that matchup.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Reveals RAF Pays Nearly as Much as UFC

    Arman Tsarukyan Reveals RAF Pays Nearly as Much as UFC

    Arman Tsarukyan has revealed that Real American Freestyle is paying him nearly as much as his UFC purses, a remarkable disclosure about a wrestling promotion that has been operating for less than a year.

    Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Tsarukyan confirmed the financial parity when asked directly whether RAF payments are approaching his Octagon earnings.

    “Yes,” he said. “It’s the best. But I still enjoy fighting.”

    Despite the lucrative outside opportunities, Tsarukyan was clear that MMA remains his priority.

    “I don’t like cutting weight, but I enjoy fighting. So fights excite me more than RAF. UFC, for me, is more exciting.”

    Tsarukyan last competed in the UFC at UFC Qatar in November 2025, submitting Dan Hooker to extend his winning streak to five fights. Since being passed over for an interim title shot at UFC 311 in January, he has competed six more times outside the Octagon, recording wins in RAF over Lance Palmer, Georgio Poullas, and Urijah Faber, as well as a submission grappling victory over Muhammad Mokaev.

    His most recent RAF appearance at RAF08 in Philadelphia saw him drive Faber off the edge of the mat and onto the concrete floor during their match. It was the latest in a series of incidents that have accompanied Tsarukyan’s outside-UFC activity, which also included a brawl at RAF06 and being removed from an American Airlines flight.

    Regarding his UFC return, Tsarukyan said he has received positive assurances from the promotion. According to him, UFC executive Hunter Campbell promised he would compete for a title by the end of summer 2026.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Confirms UFC BJJ Match

    Arman Tsarukyan Confirms UFC BJJ Match

    Arman Tsarukyan has confirmed that his grappling match against UFC BJJ champion Mikey Musumeci is set for August or September, adding another competition to his already packed schedule outside the Octagon.

    Tsarukyan revealed the timeline during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, noting that the rules of UFC BJJ require him to compete in one match before he can challenge for the championship, which he plans to do ahead of the Musumeci bout.

    “Yeah, it’s a real thing, it’s probably gonna be in August or September, so, I wanna do that, I gotta do one grappling before him because it’s new rules, I’ve gotta see how it works,” Tsarukyan said.

    UFC BJJ matchmaker Claudia Gadelha expressed interest in making the match after Musumeci publicly called out Tsarukyan earlier this year. Tsarukyan is likely to fulfill his prerequisite match on May 30, potentially on the Real American Freestyle card headlined by Gable Steveson.

    The Musumeci announcement comes as Tsarukyan continues to wait for his next UFC booking despite holding the number one contender spot in the lightweight division.

    Rumors of a BMF title rematch against Charles Oliveira have come out without confirmation. Tsarukyan has competed seven times outside the Octagon since his last UFC appearance, recording wins in wrestling, submission grappling, and most recently defeating Urijah Faber at RAF08.

  • Ilia Topuria Says He Would Fight Arman Tsarukyan If This Happens

    Ilia Topuria Says He Would Fight Arman Tsarukyan If This Happens

    Ilia Topuria has reversed course on his previous reluctance to fight Arman Tsarukyan, confirming he would have no issue accepting the matchup if Justin Gaethje were to withdraw from their UFC White House title fight on June 14.

    Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Topuria made his position on opponent flexibility clear. “If they call me tomorrow and they tell me Justin is injured and I have to fight Arman, I will fight Arman, no problem. If they call me and they tell me that Arman is injured and I have to fight Ariel, I’m gonna fight Ariel, no problem. I go whoever, whenever, I’m ready.”

    Tsarukyan had been vocal about wanting to serve as backup fighter for the White House card and has advised Gaethje to pull out so he could take the spot.

    Despite the softer tone on accepting the fight, Topuria made equally clear that his opinion of Tsarukyan as a fighter has not changed.

    “He’s a kid. His mentality, he’s dumb as f—. Everything that I saw about him on the internet, it’s embarrassing. F— Arman, who cares about him. He’s not on my level. If we cross paths, I’m gonna break his jaw in the first round.”

    Topuria defends the lightweight championship against Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House in Washington D.C.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Lays Out Khamzat Chimaev’s Master Plan

    Arman Tsarukyan Lays Out Khamzat Chimaev’s Master Plan

    Arman Tsarukyan has laid out an ambitious blueprint for his close friend Khamzat Chimaev’s future, and it goes far beyond defending the UFC Middleweight Championship.

    In a video shared by journalist Adam Zubayraev, Tsarukyan outlined his vision for Chimaev’s career during a candid exchange between the two fighters. The plan starts with UFC domination and ends with a boxing crossover that pits Chimaev against both Jake Paul and Logan Paul, before eventually targeting Floyd Mayweather.

    “Now you need two or three belts,” Tsarukyan said in a translation posted by Red Corner MMA. “You take three belts, then we move to boxing.”

    Tsarukyan then spelled out the boxing targets he has in mind. “Jake Paul, Logan Paul. And then we will pull Floyd Mayweather out of the grave.”

    Winning three UFC titles simultaneously would be unprecedented in the promotion’s history, making Chimaev’s in-cage road alone a historically ambitious undertaking. Chimaev currently holds the UFC Middleweight Championship after his dominant performance over Dricus du Plessis in Chicago last August, with his first title defense scheduled against Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 on May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

    Chimaev has existing connections to the Paul brothers, having trained with Logan Paul in Sweden before reaching UFC fame. Whether the boxing portion of Tsarukyan’s vision ever materializes is a long way off, but the conversation signals how broadly Chimaev’s team is thinking about his long-term trajectory.

    Mayweather, meanwhile, is due to return for a professionally sanctioned rematch with Manny Pacquiao this September at the Sphere in Las Vegas, though that bout has been thrown into doubt by ongoing disputes over whether it will be an exhibition or a sanctioned professional fight.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Dominates Urijah Faber In Technical Fall

    Arman Tsarukyan Dominates Urijah Faber In Technical Fall

    Arman Tsarukyan once again showed why he’s one of the top talents in RAF, not making his bout with Urijah Faber — which served as the RAF 08 main event — even close to being competitive.

    Tsarukyan completely dominated the first period, scoring a takedown and two exposures of Faber, getting his shoulders to the mat and racking up eight points in lightning-quick fashion.

    An aggressive takedown attempt saw Tsarukyan push himself and Faber not just off the mat but also over the announcers’ table. Each man was awarded a point.

    In the third, Tsarukyan landed a double-leg takedown and ended the bout with a technical fall.

    Tsarukyan then called out Colby Covington, with the two having a staredown after the bout.

    Tsarukyan is now 4-0 in RAF, making his debut at RAF 05 in January with a win over Lance Palmer before his infamous two bouts with Georgio Poullas.

    Faber faced Cejudo at RAF 06, losing by technical fall.

    This bout was promoted to the main event after Henry Cejudo withdrew on the day of RAF 08, citing an injury, causing his bout with Merab Dvalishvili to be canceled.

  • Henry Cejudo Out Of RAF 08 Main Event vs Merab Dvalishvili, Arman Tsarukyan vs Urijah Faber Promoted To Top Spot

    Henry Cejudo Out Of RAF 08 Main Event vs Merab Dvalishvili, Arman Tsarukyan vs Urijah Faber Promoted To Top Spot

    Henry Cejudo has been forced out of the main event at RAF 08 after suffering a last-minute injury, scrapping his scheduled rematch with Merab Dvalishvili.

    The bout was set to headline the Real American Freestyle card at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, where Cejudo was expected to face Dvalishvili in a wrestling-based contest following their previous meeting under the UFC banner.

    However, the promotion confirmed the matchup has been canceled on short notice due to Cejudo’s withdrawal.

    “Triple C” had appeared in good spirits during the pre-fight press conference, even exchanging light verbal jabs with the former UFC bantamweight titleholder just a day before the event. The exact nature of his injury has not been disclosed, and there is currently no word on whether the matchup will be rescheduled.

    The cancellation marks a setback for RAF, which had positioned the rematch as one of the card’s key attractions. The two fighters previously met at UFC 298 in 2024, with “The Machine” earning a unanimous decision victory on his way to capturing UFC gold.

    With the former two-division UFC champion sidelined, Arman Tsarukyan now steps into the headlining spot against veteran Urijah Faber. Tsarukyan enters the bout in strong form, having gone unbeaten in his appearances under the RAF banner this year.

    The co-main event will feature Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder taking on Rizabek Aitmukhan as the promotion reshuffles its lineup just hours before fight night.

  • RAF 08 Results: Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili

    RAF 08 Results: Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili

    UPDATE: Henry Cejudo has withdrawn from tonight’s main event. Urijah Faber vs. Arman Tsarukyan has been promoted from co-main event to main event.

    RAF 08 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The main event will feature a middleweight matchup between Urijah Faber and Arman Tsarukyan. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Urijah Faber vs. Arman Tsarukyan – Middleweight Main Event

    The originally scheduled main event would have seen the RAF debut of Merab Dvalishvili, taking on Henry Cejudo. The two had competed at UFC 298, with Dvalishvili taking a clear decision win.

    Cejudo, however, has withdrawn from tonight’s event due to an injury.

    Since 2021, Faber, the UFC Hall of Famer, has competed in various Combat Grappling and wrestling tournaments. Tsarukyan competed in the main event of RAF 07, defeating Georgio Poullas in their highly anticipated and heated rematch from RAF 06 — where the two got into a post-match altercation.

    The RAF light heavyweight title will be on the line tonight when Kyle Snyder defends against Rizabek Aitmukhan, and Helen Maroulis defends the RAF women’s flyweight title against Alexis Janiak.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from RAF 08!

    How to Watch RAF 08

    • Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
    • Venue: Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • Streaming: FOX Nation (Exclusive)
    • Start Time: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    RAF 08 Results & Highlights

    Full Card Results (FOX Nation, 8 PM ET)

    Lightweight Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo

    Result: BOUT CANCELED DUE TO CEJUDO INJURY

    Middleweight Main Event: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Urijah Faber

    Result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Urijah Faber via technical fall (13-1)

    RAF Light Heavyweight Championship Co-Main Event: Kyle Snyder vs. Rizabek Aitmukhan

    Result: Kyle Snyder def. Rizabek Aitmukhan via points (12-6)

    Cruiserweight: Zahid Valencia vs. Aeoden Sinclair

    Result: Zahid Valencia def. Aeoden Sinclair via points (8-2)

    Heavyweight: Anthony Cassioppi vs. Shamil Sharipov

    Result: Shamil Sharipov def. Anthony Cassioppi via pin (2:45)

    RAF Women’s Flyweight Championship: Helen Maroulis vs. Alexis Janiak

    Result: Helen Maroulis def. Alexis Janiak via technical fall (10-0)

    Featherweight: Real Woods vs. Anthony Ashnault

    Result: Real Woods def. Anthony Ashnault via points (7-2)

    Middleweight: Jason Nolf vs. Joey Blaze

    Result: Jason Nolf def. Joey Blaze via points (11-2)

    Featherweight: Vladimer Khinchegashvili vs. Johnni DiJulius

    Result: Vladimer Khinchegashvili vs. Johnni DiJulius via points (8-5)

    Lightweight: Lance Palmer vs. Cayden Henschel

    Result: Lance Palmer def. Cayden Henschel via points (3-2)

    Featherweight: Jordan Oliver vs. Mike Vanbrill

    Result: Jordan Oliver def. Mike Vanbrill via points (5-0)

    Bantamweight: Darian Cruz vs. Lucas Byrd

    Result: Lucas Byrd def. Darian Cruz via points (2-2) (Byrd gets tiebreaker by being last to score)

  • Daniel Cormier Warns Arman Tsarukyan Before He Ruins His UFC Title Shot

    Daniel Cormier Warns Arman Tsarukyan Before He Ruins His UFC Title Shot

    Daniel Cormier is urging Arman Tsarukyan to get out of his own way before he costs himself the UFC lightweight title shot he has been chasing for years.

    The former two-division champion addressed Tsarukyan’s recent pattern of incidents outside the Octagon in a video on his YouTube channel, telling the Armenian contender that he is finally close to getting what he wants but that one wrong move could send him back to square one.

    “Arman was in purgatory,” Cormier said. “It’s almost like the trust was gone. But you can start to rebuild that trust through competition. But it’s what he’s doing outside of the Octagon that is now making Arman Tsarukyan a guy — I’m telling you, I know this, I really know, Arman Tsarukyan is now starting to make himself undeniable through all the stuff he’s doing outside of the UFC.”

    Cormier said the window is open right now in a way it has not been since Tsarukyan was passed over for the interim title fight at UFC 311 in January, and that the priority has to be keeping it that way.

    “This is as close as he’s been since UFC 311. Everything is going great. I told his manager the other day, I said, ‘Just don’t f— this up. Don’t do one thing that kicks you backwards. He’s gotta be very careful. The thing the other day with American Airlines, for us that’s funny. But we need to make sure — Arman told me himself, ‘I’ll be a good boy.’ It’s funny to us, but he’s right at that point now where he’s gotta peel back a little bit and he’s gonna get exactly what he wants.”

    Tsarukyan’s track record of incidents outside the cage has been a recurring obstacle in his path to a title shot. He punched a fan at UFC 300, pulled out of UFC 311 on late notice, headbutted Dan Hooker at the UFC Qatar ceremonial weigh-ins last November, and was most recently removed from an American Airlines flight in Los Angeles after he and members of his team refused to take their seats while the aircraft was taxiing.

  • Arman Tsarukyan and Ryan Garcia Beef Escalates After $40,000 Body Shot Bet Goes Unpaid

    Arman Tsarukyan and Ryan Garcia Beef Escalates After $40,000 Body Shot Bet Goes Unpaid

    Arman Tsarukyan says Ryan Garcia has not paid the $40,000 bet he lost on a Kick livestream, and Garcia is now claiming he was scammed.

    The dispute traces back to earlier this month when Tsarukyan bet Garcia that he could not drop one of his teammates with a body shot during a session on Garcia’s stream. Garcia reluctantly agreed, failed to drop the teammate after a few attempts, and tapped out before the two ended up sparring instead. The $40,000 was supposed to go to Tsarukyan.

    Speaking on Adam Zubayraev’s YouTube channel on Thursday, Tsarukyan said Garcia has not followed through on the payment despite multiple assurances.

    “Brother, he hasn’t paid up,” Tsarukyan said. “Now, Khamzat and I are going to go talk to Ryan Garcia — $40,000. There was a lot there. ‘We’ll count it now and bring it over.’ They counted it and never brought it. ‘We’ll send it to your account.’ He said, ‘I give you my word as a man, I’ll send it to you.’ Five days have passed, and he hasn’t even texted, asking for the card number.”

    Garcia responded on social media in a series of since-deleted posts, first refusing to pay before pivoting to offering a fight instead. “Arman and his team, we can just set up a squabble between whoever on your team, no body shot things, just a fight. Not for $40K, for however much. I’m not paying you shit, let’s just fight. If any of you can win, I’ll give you $100K.”

    He also posted his reasoning for backing out, claiming he had been misled about the teammate’s background. “I actually got scammed to be honest. Not one mention his friend was a professional fighter. That right there is deceptive.”

    Garcia caught significant backlash on social media for the response, pushing back on his critics as well. “First of all, I don’t care about you MMA nut smackers talking about real ‘fight.’ There’s a reason MMA fighters can’t box, because it’s HARD to just use your hands.”

    Tsarukyan subsequently proposed a new bet between the two on social media, keeping the feud going.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Gets Kicked Off American Airlines Flight

    Arman Tsarukyan Gets Kicked Off American Airlines Flight

    Arman Tsarukyan was removed from an American Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday after he and members of his team refused to take their seats while the aircraft was taxiing.

    Video of the incident surfaced on Thursday, with initial reports suggesting Tsarukyan had been on his phone prior to takeoff. American Airlines subsequently clarified what actually happened.

    “On April 16, American Airlines flight 513 returned to the gate at Los Angeles International Airport for customers who refused to follow federal regulations,” the airline said in a statement to MMA Fighting. “Safety is our top priority and we expect our customers to comply with crew member instructions while on board our aircraft, which include staying seated while the aircraft is taxiing.”

    According to the airline, Tsarukyan and his friends were standing in the aisle while the plane was moving and refused to return to their assigned seats despite repeated instructions from crew members. Four people including Tsarukyan were removed from the flight before it departed for Philadelphia.

    Tsarukyan responded with characteristic brevity on Instagram. “Kicked off commercial, I guess private it is,” he posted as he boarded a separate flight. He added a brief video message as he settled in. “I hope they’re not going to kick me out from this plane. OK guys, I’ll be five hours in Philadelphia.”

    Tsarukyan was traveling to Philadelphia for his appearance at RAF 8, where he faces Urijah Faber in the co-main event. It is his fourth appearance for the promotion following previous matchups against Lance Palmer and Georgio Poullas.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Explains Why He Would Beat Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Arman Tsarukyan Explains Why He Would Beat Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Arman Tsarukyan has explained why he believes he would defeat UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov in a hypothetical matchup. The lightweight contender shared his thoughts on how a fight between the two Dagestani fighters would play out.

    Tsarukyan, who has emerged as one of the top contenders in the UFC lightweight division, addressed the fantasy matchup during a recent interview. The fighter outlined his approach to facing the undefeated former champion.

    Tsarukyan’s Confidence Against Nurmagomedov

    The lightweight contender believes his skill set would present problems for Nurmagomedov. “I’m more well-rounded than him,” he said. “Probably decision.”

    Nurmagomedov retired from MMA in 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record and is widely regarded as one of the greatest lightweights in UFC history. The Dagestani legend never lost a round in his final three title defenses.

    Current Lightweight Landscape

    Tsarukyan has positioned himself as a top contender in the lightweight division. The matchup with Nurmagomedov remains purely hypothetical, as the former champion has shown no indication of returning to competition.

    Both fighters share Dagestani heritage and train in similar grappling-heavy styles that have proven successful at the highest levels of MMA.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Chokes Fan Unconscious on Live Stream

    Arman Tsarukyan Chokes Fan Unconscious on Live Stream

    Arman Tsarukyan is under fire after choking a fan unconscious during a live stream. The UFC lightweight contender’s actions have drawn widespread criticism.

    The incident occurred during what appeared to be a casual interaction that escalated quickly. Video footage shows Tsarukyan applying a chokehold to the individual until they lost consciousness.

    The live stream captured the entire sequence, which has since circulated across social media platforms. Fans and fellow fighters have questioned whether the fighter crossed a line with his actions.

    Community Response

    The incident has sparked debate about fighter conduct outside the cage. While some have defended Tsarukyan’s actions as consensual demonstration, others argue the situation went too far.

    Tsarukyan is currently ranked among the top lightweights in the UFC. The fighter has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident.

    The promotion has not commented on whether any disciplinary action will be taken. The incident adds to ongoing discussions about fighter behavior and professional responsibility.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Gets Takedown, Wins Feud With Georgio Poullas

    Arman Tsarukyan Gets Takedown, Wins Feud With Georgio Poullas

    The bad blood between Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas has apparently been settled, as Tsarukyan broke free with a huge display in the third period against Georgio Poullas in the RAF 07 main event in Tampa, Florida.

    The two felt each other out early, looking for control early in lockups, with things appearing chippy early. The two were competitive during the first period, with Tsarukyan scoring a point due to Poullas not scoring in the 30-second shot-clock time.

    There was a brief delay to start the second period, as Poullas needed one of his hands wrapped up and toweled off. After about two minutes, the period started. Poullas looked for an underhook but was denied. Poullas was put on shot-clock time again, and while he got a front headlock, he was unable to score again, giving Tsarukyan another point.

    Tsarukyan shot in for a takedown in the closing seconds of the period, but Poullas remained on his feet.

    Tsarukyan scored another point early in the third period, pushing Poullas out of bounds with double-unders. Tsarukyan got a front headlock and scored two points for exposure. Poullas scored a takedown, though Tsarukyan got a push out, bringing the total to 5-3 Tsarukyan after that flurry.

    Poullas needed a takedown, but it was Tsarukyan who got behind Poullas and scored a takedown in the closing seconds, giving him a 9-3 victory.

    Arman Tsarukyan Defeats Georgio Poullas In Rematch At RAF 07

    This was a rematch of their bout from RAF 06. Tsarukyan won that matchup on points as well, but Poullas fouled Tsarukyan during the matchup, prompting the two to have a post-match brawl.

    Tsarukyan is now 3-0 in RAF after making his debut with a win over Lance Palmer at RAF 05.

    Poullas is now 1-2 in RAF, also making his debut at RAF 05 in a technical fall win over Keelon Jimison.

  • RAF 07 Results: Tsarukyan vs. Poullas 2

    RAF 07 Results: Tsarukyan vs. Poullas 2

    RAF 07 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. The main event will feature a middleweight rematch between Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas – Middleweight Main Event

    This will be a rematch from their infamous matchup at RAF 06 one month ago, which saw Tsarukyan win 5-3. Tsarukyan was fouled a number of times by Poullas during the bout, and Tsarukyan responded by shoving Poullas to the ground following the matchup. Officials intervened before the two could come to blows.

    Prior to that matchup, Tsarukyan made his RAF debut at RAF 05, defeating Lance Palmer. He most recently competed against Muhammad Mokaev in a grappling matchup, scoring a submission win. Tsarukyan last fought in MMA in November, defeating Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar.

    Poullas, a freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competed at Cleveland State University and Rider University, also made his RAF debut at RAF 05, scoring a technical fall over Keelon Jimison.

    The evening’s co-feature bout will feature another bad-blooded rivalry, as, following a recent callout, Colby Covington takes Dillon Danis.

    This will mark the RAF debut for Covington, a former NCAA Division-I All-American in wrestling. Covington hasn’t competed in combat sports since getting stopped by Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Tampa in December 2024.

    Danis will also make his RAF debut tonight. He is a former Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi champion and the current Misfits MMA light heavyweight champion. Danis is 3-0 in MMA and once fought Logan Paul to a DQ loss in boxing.

    RAF 07 will also feature four title fights: Kyle Dake defending the cruiserweight title against Parker Keckeisen, Kyle Snyder and Akhmed Tazhudinov competing for the vacant light heavyweight title, Kennedy Blades facing Milana Dudieva for the women’s middleweight title, and Wyatt Hendrickson defending the heavyweight title against Trent Hillger.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from RAF 07!

    How to Watch RAF 07

    • Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
    • Venue: Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida
    • Streaming: FOX Nation (Exclusive)
    • Start Time: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    RAF 07 Results & Highlights

    Full Card Results (FOX Nation, 8 PM ET)

    Featherweight: Conor Beebe vs. Johnni DiJulius

    Result: Johnni DiJulius def. Conor Beebe via decision (9-6)

    Light Heavyweight: Pat Downey vs. Trent Hidlay

    Result: Trent Hidlay def. Pat Downey via technical fall (12-0)

    Middleweight: Jason Nolf vs. Tajmuraz Salkazanov

    Result: Jason Nolf def. Tajmuraz Salkazanov via technical fall (10-0)

    Cruiserweight: Khidir Saipudinov vs. Aeoden Sinclair

    Result: Aeoden Sinclair def. Khidir Saipudinov via decision (9-4)

    Featherweight: Bo Bassett vs. Vladimer Khinchegashvili

    Result: Bo Bassett def. Vladimer Khinchegashvili via technical fall (13-3)

    Heavyweight Championship: Wyatt Hendrickson vs. Trent Hillger

    Result: Wyatt Hendrickson def. Trent Hillger via decision (6-2)

    Women’s Middleweight Championship: Kennedy Blades vs. Milana Dudieva

    Result: Kennedy Blades def. Milana Dudieva via technical fall (11-0)

    Light Heavyweight Championship: Kyle Snyder vs. Akhmed Tazhudinov

    Result: Kyle Snyder def. Akhmed Tazhudinov via tiebreaker (last man scoring) (3-3)

    Cruiserweight Championship: Kyle Dake vs. Parker Keckeisen

    Result: Kyle Dake def. Parker Keckeisen via decision (7-1)

    Catchweight (200 lbs): Colby Covington vs. Dillon Danis

    Result: Colby Covington def. Dillon Danis via technical fall (14-4)

    Middleweight: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas

    Result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Georgio Poullas via decision (9-3)

  • Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas Rematch Set For RAF 07

    Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas Rematch Set For RAF 07

    After the chaos that unfolded in the immediate aftermath of their wrestling matchup last weekend, Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas will be running it back sooner than some might have expected.

    A rematch between Tsarukyan and Poullas has been confirmed to headline RAF 07, which takes place on March 28 at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida.

    The RAF confirmed the news on their social media channels on March 6.

    The two appeared to be booked for a grappling match in Hype FC Brazil on March 11. Poullas, however, withdrew the bout, claiming not to have signed a written contract and preferring a second encounter to take place in RAF.

    The two competed in a featured contest at RAF 06 on February 28, with Tsarukyan winning the bout 5-3.

    What took place after the bout, however, was the bigger story, as Tsarukyan pushed Poullas down. He was about to throw punches before security and RAF officials got between the two.

    Video footage from the bout showed Poullas landing punches and slaps in close on Tsarukyan, causing the UFC fighter’s team to cry in protest.

    Tsarukyan has shown no remorse for his post-fight actions; meanwhile, Poullas claims to have been the true winner for scoring a true takedown in that contest.

  • Poullas Out of Grappling Match with Tsarukyan, Wants RAF Rematch

    Poullas Out of Grappling Match with Tsarukyan, Wants RAF Rematch

    Less than 24 hours after it was first announced, Georgio Poullas has bowed out of a submission grappling match that was scheduled against Arman Tsarukyan.

    Per Ariel Helwani, with confirmation from RAF executive Chad Bronstein, the grappling contest was scheduled for March 11 at Hype FC Brazil, but Poullas has pulled out.

    Poullas, instead, is pushing for a wrestling rematch with Tsarukyan at an upcoming RAF event.

    During an interview with Helwani earlier in the day, Poullas noted that a contract had not been formally signed for the grappling match with Hype FC Brazil.

    Tsarukyan won the contest at RAF 6 on February 28, scoring a 5-3 win. But the story from that event took place immediately after the match, when an altercation between the two broke out.

    Tsarukyan shoved Poullas down and looked to throw down punches before RAF officials intervened to separate the pair. Tsarukyan has claimed that it was in retaliation to dirty tactics employed by Poullas during the bout, including punches and slaps while in close.

    Video footage showed Tsarukyan’s corner crying foul at Poullas’ actions.

    Tsarukyan expressed no remorse for his actions, while Poullas called Tsarukyan a “little b****” and claimed he was the true winner for scoring a legitimate takedown in the match.

    RAF officials have expressed disappointment that the brawl occrued; however, the promotion has not handed down any punishment toward Tsarukyan or Poullas as of press time.

  • Tsarukyan vs. Poullas Rematch Set for Hype FC Brazil on March 11

    Tsarukyan vs. Poullas Rematch Set for Hype FC Brazil on March 11

    Just days after their heated encounter at RAF 6, Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas are set to run it back. The rematch has been officially announced for Hype FC’s event on March 11 at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    The two will meet in a 10-minute, submission-only grappling match — a format that raises the stakes considerably from their decision-based wrestling bout earlier this week.

    Tsarukyan vs. Poullas Rematch Poster

    Tsarukyan defeated Poullas by decision at RAF 6 on February 28 at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona. The match ended in chaos, however, when Tsarukyan tackled Poullas after the final buzzer, igniting a backstage brawl that had to be broken up by security and both fighters’ teams. Poullas later claimed he was jumped “by like 12 Armenians” in the aftermath.

    Tsarukyan has since expressed no remorse over the incident, and Poullas made his own statement addressing the altercation on social media.

    The Hype FC Brazil card is shaping up to be a major event. Jorge Masvidal is also set to make his return on the same night, and Jean Silva is additionally booked for a submission-only match on the card, though his opponent has yet to be announced.

    Despite the post-match fireworks, Tsarukyan remains in good standing with UFC brass. The Armenian lightweight has reportedly had encouraging conversations with UFC executive Hunter Campbell, with a potential lightweight title shot — or a matchup against the winner of the Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira BMF bout — possibly on the horizon in 2026.