Tsarukyan to Defend New RAF Crown Against Pettis in Reworked RAF 15 Main Event

Real American Freestyle has reworked the main event of RAF 15, announcing that Arman Tsarukyan will defend his middleweight crossover title against former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis on November 28 at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The bout replaces the previously announced Henry Cejudo against Song Yadong headliner, which now moves to the co-main event slot, and it also replaces Pettis's original RAF debut against Donald Cerrone, who is now off the card entirely. Tsarukyan won the vacant title by technical fall over Dillon Danis at RAF 14 on October 23, and the quick turnaround into a first defence underlines how central he has become to the promotion's plans. Pettis, a former UFC champion with genuine star power, represents a significant step up in profile for the fledgling freestyle promotion. Tsarukyan's schedule remains packed: before RAF 15, he is also due to wrestle Neiman Gracie in Abu Dhabi on November 14. The November 28 card is shaping up as the biggest night yet for Real American Freestyle.