Arman Tsarukyan set to defend title against ex-UFC lightweight champion in replacement RAF main event

Arman Tsarukyan will now headline RAF 15 next month due to an injury to Donald Cerrone.

Tsarukyan expects to hear about Justin Gaethje’s plans and what that means for his UFC title aspirations by the end of November.

In the meantime, he’s continuing to be the most active star on the promotion’s roster by competing in wrestling matches elsewhere.

After Tsarukyan defeated Dillon Danis earlier this month to win the RAF crossover middleweight title, his first defense has come sooner than expected.

Who could ever claim to deserve a shot above 'Batman' following his massive KO

Arman Tsarukyan called out Georges St-Pierre following his last win and while this matchup hasn’t come together for him yet, he has booked another assignment.

A clash between former UFC stars was set to headline next month’s RAF 15 card at the NOW Arena, with Anthony Pettis taking on Donald Cerrone.

The promotion announced on October 27 that ‘Cowboy’ will no longer be making his debut for the promotion on this card.

As a result, RAF turned on the bat signal and have now announced that the new main event will see Tsarukyan defend his crossover middleweight title against Pettis.

This will be Tsarukyan’s second match of the month, with him facing Neiman Gracie in Abu Dhabi on November 14 first.

It appears to be seven years since ‘Showtime’ Pettis last competed in any form of grappling match, with the former UFC champion being much more well-known for his striking skills.

He does have 11 MMA wins via submission, but going head-to-head with Tsarukyan in wrestling will be a very different challenge for the 39-year-old.

The co-main event of this card will be a rematch of a UFC fight for the lightweight crossover title, with Henry Cejudo facing Song Yadong.