Tsarukyan Tackles Faber Off Mats in Scary RAF08 Incident

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan's aggressive takedown attempt led to a frightening fall with UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:20pm

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An abstract, neon-colored painting depicting the intense, chaotic energy of two figures violently colliding and tumbling off an elevated platform, with faces and forms dissolving into vibrant brushstrokes that capture the raw physicality of the moment.The violent clash between UFC fighters Arman Tsarukyan and Urijah Faber at RAF08 generated a viral moment, but also raised concerns about Tsarukyan's lack of control in the octagon.Philadelphia Today

During their main event match at the RAF08 event in Philadelphia, UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan grabbed a single leg and rushed UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber toward the edge of the mat, leading to a nasty fall off an elevated platform. Thankfully, both fighters were able to get up and continue the match, which Tsarukyan went on to win via tech fall. Tsarukyan acknowledged his lack of control, while Faber noted he sustained no injuries from the incident.

Why it matters

The scary incident highlights Tsarukyan's aggressive and sometimes uncontrolled fighting style, which has been a point of concern for the UFC brass in the past when considering him for title shots. However, the viral moment also generated significant attention for the RAF promotion.

The details

In the main event of RAF08 in Philadelphia, Tsarukyan grabbed a single leg and rushed Faber toward the edge of the mat, leading to a frightening fall off an elevated platform. The footage shows Tsarukyan tackling Faber and the two tumbling off the mat. Remarkably, both fighters were able to get up and continue the match, which Tsarukyan went on to win via tech fall.

  • The incident occurred during the main event of the RAF08 event on Saturday, April 19, 2026 in Philadelphia.

The players

Arman Tsarukyan

A UFC lightweight contender known for his aggressive and sometimes uncontrolled fighting style.

Urijah Faber

A UFC Hall of Famer and former WEC featherweight champion who was competing in the RAF08 main event against Tsarukyan.

Dana White

The CEO of the UFC, who has previously expressed concerns about Tsarukyan's lack of control in the octagon.

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What they’re saying

“I don't control myself so much, so if something happens it not like I thinking about something that happened from my mind. Thank god Urijah didn't get hurt and we went viral again. So we need that.”

— Arman Tsarukyan, UFC Fighter

“Although Tsarukyan has done many good things for his brand since fracturing his relationship with the UFC by pulling out of a January 2025 title shot vs. Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 on weigh-in day, his struggles to "control" himself are likely part of the reason the UFC brass had pause to give him an opportunity.”

— MMA Junkie, Publication

“UFC CEO Dana White recently said he "liked" everything Tsarukyan was doing to constantly stay in the public eye. It remains to be seen how he feels about what happened at RAF08.”

— MMA Junkie, Publication

What’s next

It remains to be seen how UFC CEO Dana White will react to the incident at RAF08 and whether it will impact Tsarukyan's standing with the promotion going forward.

The takeaway

The scary incident at RAF08 highlights Tsarukyan's aggressive and sometimes uncontrolled fighting style, which has been a point of concern for the UFC in the past. However, the viral moment also generated significant attention for the RAF promotion, demonstrating Tsarukyan's ability to stay in the public eye despite his fractured relationship with the UFC.