Arman Tsarukyan says the new wrestling promotion Real American Freestyle (RAF) is paying him nearly as much as his UFC purses. He made the comment on The Ariel Helwani Show and said he still prefers fighting in the UFC.
RAF money vs UFC priority
On the show, Tsarukyan confirmed that RAF money is close to what he earns in the Octagon. He said, “Yes. It’s the best. But I still enjoy fighting.”
He also spoke about weight cutting and where his heart is. “I don’t like cutting weight, but I enjoy fighting. So fights excite me more than RAF. UFC, for me, is more exciting,” he said.
Recent fights and outside-UFC activity
Tsarukyan last fought in the UFC at UFC Qatar in November 2025. He submitted Dan Hooker there and extended his winning streak to five fights at the time.
After being passed over for an interim title shot at UFC 311 in January, Tsarukyan has been active outside the UFC. He has competed six more times away from the Octagon. His outside-UFC wins include victories in RAF over Lance Palmer, Georgio Poullas, and Urijah Faber. He also has a submission grappling win over Muhammad Mokaev.
His most recent RAF appearance was at RAF08 in Philadelphia. That match with Urijah Faber became heated when Tsarukyan drove Faber off the edge of the mat and onto the concrete floor. The incident followed other controversial moments in his post-UFC run, including a brawl at RAF06 and being removed from an American Airlines flight.
UFC return and a title promise
Despite his busy schedule in other promotions, Tsarukyan said the UFC is still his main goal. He says he has received encouraging words from the promotion. According to Tsarukyan, UFC executive Hunter Campbell told him he would fight for a title by the end of summer 2026.
Tsarukyan’s outside fights have brought money and attention, but he keeps saying the Octagon offers the biggest thrill. Fans will watch closely to see when he returns to the UFC and whether that promised title shot comes together.
Recent results
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Arman Tsarukyan | Submitted Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar (Nov 2025); multiple wins in RAF |
| Dan Hooker | Lost to Tsarukyan by submission at UFC Qatar (Nov 2025) |
| Lance Palmer | Lost to Tsarukyan in RAF |
| Georgio Poullas | Lost to Tsarukyan in RAF |
| Urijah Faber | Lost to Tsarukyan at RAF08 in Philadelphia; incident off the mat |
| Muhammad Mokaev | Lost to Tsarukyan in submission grappling match |
Tsarukyan’s path now balances big paydays outside the UFC with his goal of becoming a champion inside it. Fans should expect more talk and more fights as he chases that title promise.
