Graphic: Real American Freestyle
RAF 14 went down Friday night in Las Vegas, and two results stood out above the rest: Arman Tsarukyan teching Dillon Danis in the first round to become the first RAF Middleweight Crossover champion, and Michael Caliendo handing Jordan Burroughs his first loss in RAF. Here's what happened on the 12-bout card.
By the Numbers
- Bouts: 12
- Tech falls: 6
- Pins: 1
- Decisions: 5
- Titles: 3 on the line, with two new champions and one successful defense
Tsarukyan Is the First Middleweight Crossover Champion
Arman Tsarukyan didn't let the main event last long. He teched Dillon Danis 10-0 at 1:19 of the first round to win the inaugural RAF Middleweight Crossover title. He won't get much time off, either: Tsarukyan is back in three weeks in the co-main of RAF Abu Dhabi against Neiman Gracie.
Caliendo Beats Burroughs
Michael Caliendo beat Jordan Burroughs 7-5 in a match that went the full three rounds. Burroughs had teched both of his previous RAF opponents, Sean Brady at RAF 12 and Magomed Kurbanaliev in Moscow, so this is his first loss in the league. He has a quick turnaround, with Azamat Nurykau scheduled for him at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14.
Lovett Takes the Vacant Lightweight Belt
Ridge Lovett teched Jordan Oliver 13-2 to win the vacant RAF Lightweight Championship. The tech came at 1:59 of the third round, one second from the final whistle.
Yépez Holds On at Strawweight
Lucía Yépez kept her women's strawweight title with an 8-7 decision over Sarah Hildebrandt. Yépez won the belt at RAF 11 with a 10-0 tech over Felicity Taylor. This defense was a lot closer.
Rivera Edges Arujau in the Title Eliminator
Sebastian Rivera beat Vito Arujau on criteria after an 11-11 tie in the RAF featherweight title eliminator, the highest-scoring match of the night.
Chimaev Stays Busy
Khamzat Chimaev teched Robbie Lawler 11-0 at 1:40 of the first round in the co-main. That's three RAF wins in seven weeks for Chimaev, and none of them went the distance: a pin of Tyron Woodley in Moscow, a tech of Gilbert Burns at RAF 13 and now Lawler. Next is his biggest test yet, Colby Covington for the Cruiserweight Crossover title in the RAF Abu Dhabi main event.
Around the Card
- Dylan Ragusin opened the night with a 10-0 tech of Juan Archuleta in the first round.
- Brendan Allen teched Alexander Shlemenko 10-0, also in the first.
- Pat Downey pinned Magomed Magomedkerimov at 1:19 of the second round for the only fall of the night.
- Bella Mir teched Hope Chase 10-0 early in the second. Mir gets Kennedy Blades for the women's middleweight title at RAF Abu Dhabi.
- Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov edged Mekhi Lewis 5-4.
- Yonger Bastida beat Zach Elam 9-1 at heavyweight.
Up Next: RAF Abu Dhabi
RAF heads to Etihad Arena on November 14 with Chimaev vs. Covington on top and four titles on the line. The full card and live results will be on our RAF Abu Dhabi page, and every RAF 14 result is on our RAF 14 results page.
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