Philadelphia is set to host a high-profile freestyle wrestling showdown as Arman Tsarukyan returns to the Real American Freestyle (RAF) mat, headlining as the co-main event at RAF 08. He will take on mixed martial arts legend and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber in a lightweight bout on April 18, 2026, at the Liacouras Center.
Tsarukyan vs. Faber: A Clash of Generations
This anticipated matchup between Tsarukyan and Faber has been officially designated as the co-headliner for RAF 08, an event primarily centered around the bantamweight clash between Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo. The action is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 p.m. local time at Temple University’s Liacouras Center.
Arman Tsarukyan, at 29 years old, is currently navigating a demanding competitive schedule, with this being his fourth consecutive appearance in the RAF league. As the No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight and a top-15 fighter on the promotion’s pound-for-pound list, Tsarukyan has effectively utilized the freestyle wrestling platform to stay active. He also serves as an alternate for the upcoming UFC lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje in June.
Urijah Faber, 46, brings his own impressive legacy to the mat, boasting a career as a former WEC champion and a revered member of the UFC Hall of Fame. His most recent RAF outing was a technical-fall loss to Henry Cejudo at RAF 6 in February.
Tsarukyan’s Dominant Run in RAF
Tsarukyan’s journey in Real American Freestyle began strong at RAF 5 in January, where he secured a dominant 10–0 technical fall victory over former PFL champion Lance Palmer in the first period. He continued his winning streak at RAF 6 in Tempe on February 28, defeating Georgio Poullas 5–3 in a hard-fought match that became a major talking point of the event. Less than a month later, at RAF 7 in Tampa, Tsarukyan rematched Poullas, emerging victorious with a 9–3 score after a late takedown, pushing his impeccable RAF record to 3–0 as he heads to Philadelphia.
Faber’s Road to Redemption
Faber’s path to this co-main event slot was shaped by his encounter with Henry Cejudo at RAF 6. While Cejudo’s victory set him up for momentum leading into his matchup with Merab Dvalishvili at RAF 08, this event offers Faber a significant opportunity for redemption. He faces a formidable contender in Tsarukyan, who is not only a top-tier UFC lightweight but also actively honing his skills in another promotion.
The addition of Tsarukyan vs. Faber necessitated a slight reshuffling of the fight card. Cayden Henschel, initially slated to face Faber, will now compete against Lance Palmer in a lightweight bout. Henschel has quickly built a notable RAF résumé, including decisive wins over veteran Clay Guida (11–0 at RAF 3 in November 2025) and Bo Bassett (14–4 at RAF 5 in January). Palmer, meanwhile, is eager to bounce back from his technical-fall defeat against Tsarukyan at RAF 5.
RAF 08: Main Event and Undercard Highlights
RAF 08 is headlined by a highly anticipated bantamweight main event featuring Merab Dvalishvili versus Henry Cejudo. This marks Dvalishvili’s debut in the promotion, following a distinguished career in MMA that established him as a premier bantamweight contender. Cejudo, already a central figure in RAF due to his win over Faber and his esteemed background as a former UFC two-division champion and Olympic gold medalist, enters this bout with significant acclaim.
The promotion has confirmed a multi-fight lineup for RAF 08, with the Liacouras Center serving as the latest major arena to host the league as it expands into new markets. Beyond the main event and the Tsarukyan vs. Faber co-headliner, as well as the Henschel vs. Palmer clash, additional matchups are expected to complete the undercard. Real American Freestyle anticipates further announcements in the lead-up to April 18.
