Arman Tsarukyan’s Next RAF Match, Opponent Confirmed For November

Real American Freestyle crossover middleweight champion Arman Tsarukyan (8-1, RAF) will return to the mat to defend his title against the former UFC champion Anthony Pettis at RAF 15 on November 28.

The promotion confirmed Tuesday that the match will headline its event at NOW Arena in Chicago, Illinois, replacing the previously announced main event between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong.

Tsarukyan captured the vacant championship at RAF 14 on October 23, defeating Dillon Danis by a 10-0 technical fall in just 78 seconds.

The Armenian fighter is also scheduled to compete against Neiman Gracie in a non-title wrestling match at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14, giving him two appearances in the space of two weeks.

Pettis, meanwhile, was originally scheduled to face Donald Cerrone at RAF 15, but Cerrone has withdrawn from the event. The former UFC lightweight champion has never competed in freestyle wrestling and last appeared in combat sports in July 2024, losing a boxing match to Chris Avila by unanimous decision.

Cejudo’s lightweight crossover championship match against Song Yadong will now serve as the co-main event. Other scheduled bouts include Raul Rosas Jr. against Clay Guida and Cody Garbrandt against Sergio Pettis.