Tsarukyan Defends RAF Title Against Pettis

Arman Tsarukyan will defend his RAF Wrestling middleweight crossover title against Anthony Pettis at RAF 15 on Nov. 28 at NOW Arena in Chicago.

Pettis replaces Donald Cerrone in the main event, MMA Fighting first reported Tuesday. Cerrone is now off the card entirely. The originally scheduled headliner between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong shifts to co-main event status.

Tsarukyan Wrestling Twice In November

Tsarukyan captured the vacant RAF crossover title this past weekend at RAF 14 in Las Vegas with a technical fall finish over Dillon Danis. MMA Fighting confirmed he still faces Neiman Gracie in a non-title bout at RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14, giving the UFC lightweight contender two freestyle matches in a two-week span.

Pettis has never competed in freestyle wrestling and last fought in any combat sport in 2024, dropping a boxing decision to Chris Avila. The former UFC lightweight champion now steps into a discipline he has no documented experience in against a decorated wrestler defending gold.

RAF 15 goes down in Chicago on Nov. 28 with Tsarukyan-Pettis topping the card.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Arman Tsarukyan wrestles Anthony Pettis in RAF 15 main event