Arman Tsarukyan tech falls Urijah Faber at RAF 8 in Philly

Arman Tsarukyan beat Urijah Faber 13-1 via tech fall at RAF 8 in Philadelphia on Saturday night, winning the elevated main event after Henry Cejudo pulled out of his scheduled bout with Merab Dvalishvili just hours before the card.

Tsarukyan, the No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight contender, controlled the 46-year-old former WEC champion from the opening tie-up at Temple’s Liacouras Center, per MMA Fighting. The size and strength gap showed immediately as Tsarukyan scored a snap-down in the first period and then rolled through four consecutive gut-wrench turns for eight quick points. By the second period he was toying with Faber, securing a single-leg and driving him completely off the mat and over the commentary booth. According to MMA Mania, Tsarukyan ended it in the third period with a high-crotch finish and a throw.

Tsarukyan calls out Colby Covington after dominant win

After the tech fall, Tsarukyan called for two mats at future RAF events. “RAF, next time you need two mats for me,” he told broadcaster Chael Sonnen, as reported by MMA Fighting. Tsarukyan then challenged Colby Covington, who was in attendance and currently scheduled to face Chris Weidman. Covington came to the mat and said he wanted the match instead. Tsarukyan responded by saying after he beats Covington, he wants Sonnen next.

The win was Tsarukyan’s fourth straight in RAF competition despite minimal wrestling background before joining the promotion earlier this year. Faber, who wrestled collegiately at UC-Davis and made his RAF debut at RAF 6 in a tech fall loss to Cejudo, looked undersized and outmatched throughout. Kyle Snyder retained his light heavyweight title in the co-main event, beating Rizabek Aitmukhan 12-6 on points.

RAF 9 is scheduled for May 30 and will feature Gable Steveson plus the Weidman-Covington matchup if it stands.

Photo by yousef samuil on Unsplash

Original reporting:

mmafighting.com — RAF 8 live blog: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Urijah Faber | MMA Fighting

mmamania.com — RAF 08 live results: Tsarukyan vs. Faber | MMA Mania