Arman Tsarukyan Believes He Added Nearly $100 Million to RAF’s Valuation After Massive Winning Run

UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has been instrumental in RAF's success and thinks about what he wants as compensation.

Arman Tsarukyan Believes He Added Nearly $100 Million to RAF’s Valuation After Massive Winning Run

Arman Tsarukyan (via MMA Fighting)

In Short
  • Arman Tsarukyan claims he increased RAF's valuation from $15 million to $110 million after three matches.
  • He is seeking a percentage stake in the company as compensation for his contributions to its growth.
  • Tsarukyan is likely to face Colby Covington in a wrestling match on May 30, pending UFC approval.

Real American Freestyle, more commonly known as RAF, is thriving right now. Despite being founded barely a year ago in 2025, the company recently hosted it’s 8th event in Philadelphia. A large part of this success has been owed to the efforts of arguably their biggest star, Arman Tsarukyan. As such, the UFC lightweight himself is well aware of this and wants to be compensated accordingly.

Arman Tsarukyan recently headlined RAF 08 against Urijah Faber, beating him via technical fall. Originally, the event was scheduled to be headlined by Henry Cejudo vs RAF debutant Merab Dvalishvili. However, when the Olympic gold medalist, Cejudo, fell out of the match just hours before it was scheduled to start, Tsarukyan and Faber stepped up.

Following this, Tsarukyan appeared on a livestream with journalist Adam Zubayraev. The Armenian star candidly spoke on the part he played in the exponential growth of RAF and revealed how he wanted to be compensated.

The company is worth 110 million dollars. Before me it was worth 15, I had 3 matches, now it’s 110. Can you imagine? Now we’ll do this match, and for the next contract, I need percentages from the company… At least three. God willing.

Arman Tsarukyan on wanting an ownership stake in RAF

Arman Tsarukyan has brought in many eyeballs to the promotion. The Armenian has been responsible for several viral moments at RAF.

His brawl against Georgio Poullas at the end of RAF 06, or more recently, slamming Urijah Faber off the stage are just a couple of examples of his indelible contributions to RAF’s growing reach. However, he also puts in the work off the mats. Him and Nina Drama confronting Poullas generated a lot of publicity for the promotion.

All things considered, it’s very likely that the head honchos at RAF go along with this request from the UFC lightweight. Tsarukyan even said the brass is “okay with it.” Though it seems he still doesn’t know the exact percentage.

Regardless, the No. 2 ranked UFC lightweight will want to fast track negotiations. Afterall, he is already in talks for his next RAF match and his opponent is a familiar face for any MMA fan.

Arman Tsarukyan reveals Colby Covington may be his next RAF opponent

Following his dominant victory over Urijah Faber, Arman Tsarukyan called out UFC welterweight Colby Covington to a wrestling match. The lightweight star said he would embarrass Colby by beating him 10-0 in the first round. Well, it seems Tsarukyan won’t have to wait too long to face ‘Chaos.’

Arman Tsarukyan takes a shot at Colby Covington
Arman Tsarukyan takes a shot at Colby Covington (via Instagram)

The Armenian recently joined seasoned journalist Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show. During this appearance, the lightweight contender discussed everything from his RAF bouts to Ilia Topuria‘s recent comments about him. But before all that, Helwani asked him if the bout between him and Covington would happen on May 30.

Most likely, yes…They [RAF] gonna see if the UFC let us do that because if the UFC let us do that, we do it on the May 30.

Arman Tsarukyan on when he will take on Colby Covington

The feud between Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Cocington has been quietly brewing for a while. Earlier this month, Tsarukyan made an Instagram post where he co-opted Covington’s ‘King of Miami’ title. Not only that, he also threw shade at the former interim champion, referencing his legal battle with Jorge Masvidal following an attack outside a Miami restaurant.

All of this could just be the 29-year-old’s way of promoting a potential bout. After all, a matchup between him and Covington is one of the biggest ones RAF could make with their current roster. If they get the permission, negotiating the exact percentage Tsarukyan will receive for his potential matchup on May 30 is likely the next step.

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