Tsarukyan stays perfect in RAF with technical fall win ahead of Covington clash

Arman Tsarukyan extended his unbeaten record in the RAF wrestling promotion to 7-0 on Saturday, shutting out veteran MMA fighter Kuat Khamitov 11-0 by technical fall in Georgia — his final tune-up before facing Colby Covington at RAF 11 in Milwaukee on July 18.

Tsarukyan controlled the match from start to finish, repeatedly shooting hard double-leg takedowns to rack up seven points across the first two periods. Khamitov threatened on a single-leg attempt in the opening stages but was unable to convert, and Tsarukyan fought him off without conceding a point.

The match ended with 54 seconds remaining in the third period when Tsarukyan fired in another rapid takedown to push the score to 11-0, triggering the technical fall rule. Earlier in the third, Khamitov had again gone deep on a single-leg only to be reversed, surrendering two more points in the process.

“Georgia, thank you so much for the hospitality,” Tsarukyan told the crowd after the match. “Give me anybody from Georgia, I’ll beat him.” He then dove off the stage into a group of supporters as the celebration spilled over.

Since joining the wrestling promotion, Tsarukyan has been a near-constant presence on RAF cards while awaiting his next UFC assignment, and Saturday’s performance underlined why he has become a fan favourite on the circuit.

The tougher test arrives next weekend. Covington, a college All-American wrestler, is also undefeated through his first two RAF appearances and figures to offer Tsarukyan a far sterner examination on the mat than anything he has encountered so far in the promotion.