Arman Tsarukyan, UFC’s No. 1 lightweight contender, will return to the wrestling mat on February 28 for his second appearance in Real American Freestyle (RAF) at RAF 6 at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona.
Under UFC restrictions for outside competition, Tsarukyan is limited to grappling or other wrestling-based events, not bare-knuckle formats.
Georgio Poullas will be Tsarukyan’s opponent, and he will also be making his second appearance under the RAF banner. Poullas last competed at RAF 5, where he defeated Keelon “Mugzy” Jimison by technical fall, 11-1. Poullas is a former Ohio state high school wrestling champion who later competed collegiately at Cleveland State University and Rider University. More recently, he gained attention with a viral challenge offering $1,000 to anyone who can take him down in a wrestling match.
Tsarukyan enters RAF 6 after a dominant debut at RAF 5 in Florida on January 10, when he defeated Lance Palmer 10-0 by technical fall in the first period. Palmer is a four-time NCAA Division I All-American and former Professional Fighters League competitor.
RAF 6 is set to be headlined by Henry Cejudo vs. Urijah Faber, and the event will air live on FOX Nation. Abdulrashid Sadulaev has also signed with RAF.
