Arman Vs Georgio: Arman Tsarukyan Sparks Massive Brawl at RAF 6 After Punching Georgio Poullas
Arman Vs Georgio erupted into chaos on Saturday when No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan ignited a massive brawl at RAF 6 in Tempe, Ariz., after his wrestling match with Georgio Poullas. The altercation overwhelmed the mat and the crowd, and it threatens to overshadow other highlights from the event.
Arman Vs Georgio: What happened at RAF 6
The co-main event ended in a dramatic fashion as tensions that had built during a chippy match boiled over. As the final buzzer sounded and time expired, an aggravated Arman Tsarukyan shoved Georgio Poullas down and then landed punches while Poullas was on the ground. More than a dozen people flooded the mat immediately, either trying to break up the fighting or getting involved in new clashes. The melee continued into the crowd, where fights also broke out among spectators who had been chanting "USA" in support of Poullas.
How the brawl unfolded
Earlier in the match the two competitors exchanged slaps and engaged in rough activity, and tensions escalated in the final seconds. When Tsarukyan rushed Poullas at the final buzzer, the physical confrontation rapidly expanded beyond the two wrestlers. The chaos eventually subsided enough for three-time UFC title challenger Colby Covington to escort Poullas backstage.
Reputation and consequences for Arman Tsarukyan
Tsarukyan’s actions at RAF 6 add to an existing pattern of volatile incidents outside his competitive outings. Past incidents listed in the event record include an instance in 2024 when he punched a fan before his fight at UFC 300, and an allegation that he broke Dan Hooker’s nose with a head-butt at weigh-ins last November. RAF 6 marked Tsarukyan’s second appearance for Real American Freestyle after he dominated Lance Palmer at RAF 5 in January. He remains in a holding pattern with regard to the UFC title picture, waiting for lightweight champion Ilia Topuria to face interim champion Justin Gaethje at some point in the near future. Many believed Tsarukyan was already deserving of a title shot after defeating Hooker, but Saturday’s antics are unlikely to help his reputation.
RAF leadership and veteran reaction
Former WCW boss Eric Bischoff, who is involved with Real American Freestyle, expressed disappointment that the incident played out the way it did. Bischoff acknowledged that some accused him on social media of creating a scene because it resembled professional wrestling, and said he would never have allowed the situation to persist for so long. He described the duration of the melee as "too long" and said he was disappointed because the promotion had other moments he was proud of.
Bischoff praised the team that worked quickly to assemble a package celebrating Nate Carr, noting the surprise moment when David came out to place the Real American Legends championship belt on Carr — a moment Bischoff described as a cool highlight he had been looking forward to. At the same time, Bischoff flagged the potential upside and downside of controversy, observing that the right kind of controversy managed properly can produce revenue but can also provoke backlash; RAF leadership planned to review the footage and make a decision on how to proceed.
