Raf Wrestling: Cejudo's RAF06 Masterclass and the Tsarukyan Brawl Reframe the Card

Henry Cejudo's dominant showing on the RAF06 card immediately altered the short-term roadmap for raf wrestling: it not only set up a confirmed headline rematch but also underscored the promotion's need to balance marquee signings with event security after a volatile co-main melee. The main-event result, Cejudo's multi-fall control at a higher weight, and the brawl that followed are already steering match-making and operational priorities.

How this shifts priorities for Raf Wrestling

Here's the part that matters: the organization now has a three-match commitment from Cejudo, a confirmed April headline set for RAF08 in Philadelphia, and an immediate disciplinary headache after dozens stormed the mat following the co-main. That combination pushes roster planning and event operations into the foreground for raf wrestling decision-makers.

Event snapshot and what happened in the headliner

The headliner featured Henry Cejudo versus Urijah Faber at a 160-pound catch; the bout was staged at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona in coverage dated Saturday, Feb. 28, and other coverage described the RAF06 event as taking place on March 1 in Tempe, Arizona. Cejudo—identified as a former two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist who retired this past December following his fourth straight UFC loss—appeared to prioritize preserving his speed as he adjusted to heavier weight demands.

Match detail highlights in the provided context: Cejudo repeatedly hunted Faber's heels and frequently landed low single-leg takedowns, a sequence described as the match's decisive maneuver. Final-score reporting differs across accounts: one entry lists a technical fall, 11-0, while another lists the result as 10-0; this point is unclear in the provided context. Coverage also notes Faber, age 46 and seven years older than Cejudo, retired from the UFC in 2019 and has won multiple grappling matches since.

Co-main chaos: Tsarukyan vs. Poullas and the post-match melee

The co-main pitched Arman Tsarukyan against Georgio (spelled Georgio or Giorgio in different items) Poullas. Pre-match antagonism reportedly included offers to bet $1, 000 per takedown or point, and the pair were described as slapping rather than grappling once the match began, with the referee and RAF executive Israel Martinez repeatedly instructing them to stop. One analyst suggested Poullas was trying to avoid embarrassment and might prefer to play for disqualification.

Shortly after Tsarukyan scored a push out, moments after the final bell the UFC fighter landed a punch to his opponent's jaw, which sparked a melee with dozens of people storming the mat; a fellow veteran helped Poullas backstage. Result reporting lists Arman Tsarukyan as a winner, with one account giving the score 5-3.

Card results and noted discrepancies

• Henry Cejudo def. Urijah Faber — listed as a technical fall; score reported as 11-0 in one account and 10-0 in another (unclear in the provided context).
• Arman Tsarukyan def. Georgio/Georgio Poullas — one result lists 5-3; post-match melee followed the finish.
• Aljamain Sterling def. Benson Henderson — technical fall; one report lists 12-2, another lists a tech fall victory (periods vary by account).
• David Carr def. Bubba Jenkins — listed as 13-2 in multiple accounts; noted as a successful defense of the RAF welterweight championship. A separate note mentions David Carr blanked Belal Muhammad 10-0 at RAF4.
• Keelon Jimison vs. Clay Guida — one account credits Keelon Jimison with a tech-fall win (13-3) in the opening match; another listing shows Clay Guida losing to a competitor named Mugzy, 13-3 (conflict between entries).
• Andrew Alirez def. Bryce Meredith — listed as tech fall 13-2, 2nd period.
• Givi Matcharashvili def. Stephen Buchanan — listed by one item as a criteria decision (3-3) and elsewhere as 3: 3 (+/-).
• Lucia Guzman / Jami Guzman def. Everest Leydecker — one item names Lucia Guzman (10-3), another lists Jami Guzman (10-3); name discrepancy noted.
• Tajmuraz/Taimuraz Salkazanov def. Keegan O’Toole — listed as 9-0.
• Evan Wick def. Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov — results listed as a tech fall, with scores reported 13-2 or 13-3 in different accounts.
• Zahid Valencia def. Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie — listed as tech fall 10-0, 1st period in one account.
• Jordan Oliver def. Beau Bartlett — points decision listed as 5-3.
• Additional outcomes and score variants appear across items; where entries conflict, the context marks the discrepancy.

Broadcast, scheduling notes and the immediate aftermath for match-making

The event's official broadcast was described as available on a subscription platform and the show start time was listed as 9: 00 PM local (with corresponding times of 6: 00 AM Yerevan time and 5: 00 AM Moscow time in one item). RAF commentary noted that Cejudo has a three-match deal and is slated to compete for the organization through 2026. Immediately after his win, Cejudo called out Merab Dvalishvili; Dvalishvili—who beat Cejudo at UFC 298 two years earlier by unanimous decision—responded that he would accept. Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili was subsequently confirmed to headline RAF08 on April 18 in Philadelphia, and other coverage reiterated that RAF08 will head to Philadelphia and will feature Dvalishvili's promotional debut.

It's easy to overlook, but the mix of marquee signings, confirmed headliners and a high-profile security incident will force the league to calibrate both match-making and operations in the coming weeks.

• Immediate implication: confirmed rematch headlining RAF08 tightens the early-season calendar and places Cejudo at the center of promotional storytelling.
• Affected groups: match-makers, event-security teams, and athletes whose match opportunities may shift because of a Cejudo-centered schedule.
• Signals to watch for that would confirm organizational shifts: formal discipline decisions tied to the co-main melee, finalization of Cejudo's opponent sequence in the three-match deal, and any changes to venue protocols at future cards.
• Operational note: inconsistent score and result entries across coverage highlight the need for a single, authoritative results feed from the promotion.

The real question now is whether the organization will prioritize athletic narratives around rematches and title defenses or pivot resources to tighten event control after the post-match incident.