Tsarukyan submits Ferguson in RAF 10 co-main as 'El Cucuy' returns to MMA

Arman Tsarukyan wrestled his way to victory over Tony Ferguson in the co-main event of RAF 10 at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, continuing his dominant run through the Regional Alliance Fighting promotion in 2026.

Tsarukyan, widely regarded as one of the top lightweight fighters in the world, has spent much of the year competing in RAF while awaiting a shot at the UFC lightweight title. Saturday’s win was his sixth appearance for the promotion across five events, following a commanding performance against Mugzy at RAF 9 just two weeks prior. That consistency has made him the recognisable face of RAF even as his UFC ambitions remain on hold.

For Ferguson, the fight represented a return to the sport where he built his reputation. The former UFC interim lightweight champion had lost eight consecutive MMA bouts before stepping away from the cage, a run that led many to believe his combat sports career was finished. He confounded those expectations by transitioning to Misfits Boxing, winning two matches including a middleweight championship bout.

A former NCWA national champion wrestler, Ferguson came back to MMA on familiar ground — the grappling-heavy format of RAF suited his background. However, Tsarukyan’s wrestling proved the sharper weapon on the night, and the Armenian fighter controlled large portions of the contest before securing the finish.

The result extends Tsarukyan’s unbeaten streak in RAF and keeps him firmly in the conversation for a UFC title shot, though no date or opponent for that fight has been confirmed. Ferguson’s record in his MMA comeback now stands at one defeat.