The upcoming Real American Freestyle (RAF) 15 event has undergone a significant late-stage shakeup at the top of its card. Promotion officials announced through social media on X that top-tier lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will now headline the November 28 card, defending his middleweight crossover title against former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. The high-stakes grappling encounter will take place at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, serving as the premier attraction of a packed night of combat sports action.
The new championship matchup replaces the previously scheduled main event between former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo and bantamweight standout Yadong Song. Rather than being removed from the event entirely, Cejudo and Song’s lightweight crossover title match has been shifted to the co-main event slot, preserving a premier clash of elite mixed martial artists for the Illinois audience. The adjustment comes as a major development for the card, bringing a fresh championship dynamic to the forefront of RAF 15.
Arman Tsarukyan Defends His RAF Wrestling Title Against Anthony Pettis as Henry Cejudo vs. Yadong Song Moves to Co-Main Event
Arman Tsarukyan enters this defense carrying considerable momentum within the grappling and mixed martial arts spheres. He captured the vacant RAF middleweight crossover title in dominant fashion at RAF 14 on October 23, securing a technical fall victory over Dillon Danis. That performance solidified Tsarukyan’s status not only as a feared competitor inside the UFC’s lightweight division but also as a formidable force on the wrestling mats.
However, Tsarukyan faces an exceptionally busy late-autumn schedule that will test his conditioning and durability. Before stepping into the NOW Arena to lock horns with Pettis, the surging UFC contender is scheduled to face Neiman Gracie in a high-profile non-title match at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14. This means Tsarukyan will undertake two demanding wrestling assignments within a span of roughly two weeks, presenting a unique athletic challenge as he looks to defend his newly won middleweight belt against a veteran of Pettis’ caliber.
For Anthony Pettis, the opportunity to challenge for the RAF middleweight crossover title represents a sudden and exciting shift in his late-year campaign. Pettis was originally slated to lock horns with fellow former UFC star Donald Cerrone in what would have been a nostalgic showdown between two legends of the sport. Instead, promotional matchmakers elevated Pettis directly into the championship main event against Tsarukyan, offering the former UFC champion a chance to claim promotional gold under the RAF banner.
Pettis enters the contest looking to bounce back and readjust his focus after a busy transition into various combat sports disciplines following his tenure with major mixed martial arts promotions. His most recent combat sports appearance took place in July 2024, when he suffered a unanimous decision loss in a professional boxing match against Chris Avila. Transitioning back to a wrestling-centric ruleset against an elite grappler like Tsarukyan will undoubtedly require a sharp adjustment, but Pettis’ veteran savvy and diverse martial arts background ensure he remains a dangerous adversary under any banner.
Despite the restructuring at the top of the card, the rest of the RAF 15 lineup remains deeply stacked with notable names from across the combat sports landscape. Henry Cejudo and Yadong Song anchor the co-main event position in their lightweight crossover title fight, ensuring that fans attending the NOW Arena or following the event remotely will still witness the explosive pairing that originally occupied the top of the marquee. The rest of the event features a diverse blend of elite wrestlers, crossover athletes, and seasoned mixed martial artists competing across multiple weight classes and promotional titles.
The official RAF 15 lineup features a robust schedule of bouts designed to showcase high-level grappling and crossover combat. In addition to the championship main event between Arman Tsarukyan and Anthony Pettis, and the co-main event lightweight crossover title clash between Henry Cejudo and Yadong Song, the card includes a featherweight crossover title fight matching Cayden Henschel against Conor Beebe.
Further down the lineup, fan-favorite veteran Clay Guida is scheduled to face young rising star Raul Rosas Jr. in a compelling clash of generations. The event also features Roman Bravo-Young taking on Matt Ramos, while Haley Augello squares off against Miranda Maverick in a compelling women’s matchup. Additional main card action includes Danny Sabatello meeting Jacob Schultz, and a high-profile pairing between former UFC bantamweight standouts Cody Garbrandt and Sergio Pettis. Rounding out the stacked card are technical grappling showcases featuring Real Woods against Sebastian Rivera, and a heavyweight heavyweight battle pitting Yonger Bastida against Geno Petriashvili.
