Arman Tsarukyan Wants to See Topuria Fight Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has kept himself busy during the first half of 2026. Upon scoring a second-round submission due to a rear-naked choke versus Dan Hooker (24-14 MMA, 14-10 UFC) in UFC Qatar on Nov. 22 of last year, he's turned his attention to the wrestling mat in Real American Freestyle.

Since joining the RAF active roster before the Jan. 10 RAF 05 card in Sunrise, FL on the FOX Nation streaming service, he's undefeated in the unscripted wrestling organization, going 5-0. Three of Arman Tsarukyan's victories have been recorded via technical fall.

Over the weekend, he scored his fifth successive victory under the RAF promotional banner versus Keelon Jimison (2-2 RAF) during RAF 09 in Arlington, TX. While Arman Tsarukyan will have a quick turnaround, next appearing on June 13 during RAF 10 versus Tony Ferguson in St. Louis, it's the contest on the promotion's July 18 event, RAF 11 in Milwaukee, that'll be garnering the most attention.  

During RAF 11 in late July, Arman Tsarukyan will meet Colby Covington in the main event.

Arman Tsarukyan Keeping Tabs on MMA, Discusses Next UFC Fight at Podium at RAF 09

On the evening of June 14, the UFC will put on UFC Freedom 250 from The White House grounds in Washington, DC. It'll be a rare Sunday night card from the No. 1 MMA promotion in the world. 

During the main event of the evening at UFC Freedom 250, the UFC Lightweight Championship will be at stake when Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) squares off against Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) in a five-round fight. 

Arman Tsarukyan spoke of his future plans in MMA backstage at RAF 09 after his win.

"I'm waiting for The White House card, when they're going to fight and then they're going to announce my next fight," Arman Tsarukyan told the assembled media at College Park Center in Arlington, where RAF 09 was held on Saturday evening,."Probably, it's September, October or the end of this year, depends who's going to win. If it's Ilia, probably the end of this year, if it's Gaethje, probably September or October."

Arman Tsarukyan on Who Ilia Topuria Should Fight after UFC Freedom 250

While Justin Gaethje will be next for Ilia Topuria inside the fabled Octagon, Arman Tsarukyan is of the mindset that Topuria has to square off with Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) the incumbent UFC Welterweight Champion, following UFC Freedom 250.

"If UFC lets him move up he's going to move up," he's going to move up, he's going to move up," he continued. "It's better to fight with Islam than me, because it's a third title, big money. If he loses to Islam, it's okay. He moved up to a higher weight class to lose to the pound-for-pound ."

Tsarukyan issued a simple, succinct caution to Ilia Topuria for what would happen if he stays in the lightweight division.

"If he loses me at 155, he's going to be gone," he said.

Arman Tsarukyan on Wrestling in RAF

Being signed to the Real American Freestyle active roster has given Arman Tsarukyan more opportunities to compete. He's already booked for two more matches on the mat in the coming months, including the contest against Covington on July 18.

During his meeting with the media backstage in Arlington on Saturday, he mentioned that he's relishing the chances this new promotion has afforded to him.

"I'm a UFC fighter, we cannot compete so often, like two times a year, three times a year," he remarked. "If not RAF, I would train with my guys six, seven rounds and no crowd, no money, nothing. It's better to come here, show up, get some experience, have fun and wrestle. It's the best for the MMA fighters and wrestlers. I'm so happy that they create such a good league."