Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 3, 2026

RAF 08

RAF 08: Tsarukyan vs. Faber was a freestyle wrestling event that took place on April 18, 2026, at the Liacouras Center of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Last revised
Jul 3, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
675 w
Citations
17
Source
Wikipedia ↗
RAF 08: Tsarukyan vs. Faber
Promotional poster for RAF 08
PromotionReal American Freestyle
DateApril 18, 2026
VenueLiacouras Center
CityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Attendance4,2501
Event chronology
RAF 07: Tsarukyan vs. Poullas 2 RAF 08: Tsarukyan vs. Faber RAF 09: Steveson vs. Romanov

RAF 08: Tsarukyan vs. Faber was a freestyle wrestling event that took place on April 18, 2026, at the Liacouras Center of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.2

It was the eighth flagship event produced by the Real American Freestyle (RAF) promotion, and aired live on Fox Nation.2

Background

Tickets for the event went on sale through Ticketmaster on February 27, 2026.3

Commentary for the event's live Fox Nation broadcast was provided by Kurt Angle, Ben Askren, Julianna Peña, Chael Sonnen, and Shane Sparks.4

Merab Dvalishvili was scheduled to headline this event against Henry Cejudo.5 However, Cejudo pulled out due to injury and the match was cancelled.6 As a result, a middleweight bout between Urijah Faber and Arman Tsarukyan was promoted to the main event.6 Faber was originally announced to be facing Cayden Henschel, but both men were rebooked against different opponents for undisclosed reasons.7

Anthony Ashnault debuted at this event against Real Woods.8 It was the first match for Ashnault since 2024, when he retired to enter coaching.8

It was announced during the broadcast that Khamzat Chimaev had signed with RAF.9

All competitors favored to win by sportsbooks were victorious in their respective matches.10

Results

Main card (Fox Nation)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Middleweight Armenia Arman Tsarukyan def. United States Urijah Faber Technical fall (13–1) 3 0:35
Light Heavyweight United States Kyle Snyder (c) def. Kazakhstan Rizabek Aitmukhan Decision (12–6) 3 2:00 a
Cruiserweight United States Zahid Valencia def. United States Aeoden Sinclair Decision (8–2) 3 2:00
Heavyweight Bahrain Shamil Sharipov def. United States Anthony Cassioppi Pinfall 1 1:45
Women's Bantamweight United States Helen Maroulis (c) def. United States Alexis Janiak Technical fall (10–0) 2 1:13 b
Featherweight United States Real Woods def. United States Anthony Ashnault Decision (7–2) 3 2:00
Middleweight United States Jason Nolf def. United States Joey Blaze Decision (11–2) 3 2:00
Featherweight Georgia (country) Vladimer Khinchegashvili def. United States Johnni DiJulius Decision (8–5) 3 2:00
Lightweight United States Lance Palmer def. United States Cayden Henschel Decision (3–2) 3 2:00
Featherweight United States Jordan Oliver def. United States Michael Vanschenkbrill Decision (5–0) 3 2:00
Bantamweight United States Lucas Byrd def. Puerto Rico Darian Cruz Decision (criteria) (2–2) 3 2:00
  1. For the RAF Light Heavyweight Championship.
  2. For the RAF Women's Bantamweight Championship.

Source:11

Bonus awards

The following athletes received bonuses.12

  • Match of the Night: Kyle Snyder vs. Rizabek Aitmukhan
  • Performance of the Night: Jason Nolf
References

References

  1. "WrestleTix: RAF Real American Freestyle • Apr 18 The Liacouras Center at Philadelphia, PA". Wrestlenomics. April 18, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  2. Heck, Mike (February 24, 2026). "Former UFC champ Merab Dvalishvili set to compete at RAF 8". MMA Fighting. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  3. Holland, Jesse (February 24, 2026). "Merab time! Former UFC champ signs with RAF, debuts April 18 in Philly". MMA Mania. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  4. Behunin, Alexander (April 13, 2026). "RAF 08 card, start time, date and location". MMA Mania. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  5. Bohn, Mike (March 1, 2026). "Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo headlines RAF08 in Philadelphia". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  6. Bohn, Mike (April 18, 2026). "Henry Cejudo injured, out of RAF 08 main event vs. Merab Dvalishvili". MMA Junkie. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  7. Holland, Jesse (April 1, 2026). "UFC bad boy Arman Tsarukyan makes quick turnaround, wrestles Urijah Faber at RAF08 in Philadelphia". MMA Mania. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  8. Evans, Bill (April 17, 2026). "Rutgers NCAA wrestling champion returning to mat for 1 more match". NJ.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  9. Martin, Damon (April 18, 2026). "Top UFC superstar is latest to sign with RAF". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  10. "RAF 8: Dvalishvili vs. Cejudo". Fight Odds. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  11. Fowlkes, Ben (April 19, 2026). "RAF 8 results: Arman Tsarukyan runs Urijah Faber off the mat in lopsided victory, calls out Colby Covington". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  12. "RAF 08 Recap: Tsarukyan Shines, Snyder's Comeback, and a Night That Raised the Bar". Real American Freestyle. April 19, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
External links