Ali Akbar Rosady
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Chaifetz Arena roared on Saturday night, June 13, 2026, as Rapid Ascent Fighting (RAF) delivered its tenth major event, headlined by the highly anticipated debut of former UFC standout Khamzat Chimaev against submission specialist Dillon Danis. The evening’s co-main event featured another significant crossover, with elite lightweight Arman Tsarukyan facing the legendary Tony Ferguson. The card, broadcast live on FOX Nation, marked a pivotal moment for the burgeoning RAF promotion, showcasing its ability to attract top-tier talent and deliver compelling matchups.
Khamzat Chimaev, known as "Borz," made a resounding statement in his RAF debut, delivering a dominant performance against Dillon Danis in their catchweight bout. Chimaev, who entered the RAF ranks following an unblemished record in the UFC, including a decisive victory over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025, showcased his comprehensive skill set. His transition to RAF had been a subject of intense speculation, with many analysts pointing to a lucrative multi-fight deal and the opportunity for Chimaev to carve out a new legacy as key motivators. Danis, a jiu-jitsu black belt with a notoriously polarizing public persona and a sparse professional MMA record, sought to shock the combat sports world.
From the opening bell, Chimaev asserted control. The first round saw Chimaev immediately close the distance, overwhelming Danis with relentless forward pressure and powerful, piston-like jabs. After a brief exchange where Danis attempted to counter with a wild overhand right, Chimaev seamlessly transitioned into a double-leg takedown, planting Danis firmly on the canvas. From top control, Chimaev delivered a series of short, sharp elbows and punches, preventing Danis from initiating any significant submission attempts. Danis, renowned for his guard work, struggled to create space or threaten, often resorting to holding Chimaev’s posture to survive the round. The Chechen-Swedish fighter’s ground-and-pound was precise, visibly sapping the energy from his opponent as the clock wound down.
The second round began with Danis showing renewed urgency, attempting to engage Chimaev in a striking battle. However, Chimaev’s improved stand-up, a consistent area of development throughout his UFC career, proved superior. Chimaev landed a clean right cross that briefly staggered Danis, followed by a flurry that forced Danis to clinch. Capitalizing on the moment, Chimaev executed a powerful judo-style throw, once again putting Danis on his back. This time, Chimaev passed to half-guard swiftly, unleashing a more sustained barrage of ground strikes. Referee Herb Dean issued a warning for Danis to defend himself more actively. As Chimaev escalated his attack, raining down unanswered punches from a dominant position, Dean intervened at 2:37 of the second round, stopping the contest and awarding Khamzat Chimaev a TKO victory.
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In his post-fight interview, Chimaev exuded confidence, stating, "I told you I’m coming for everyone. This is just the beginning for RAF. I am the new king." Danis, clearly disappointed, offered a brief comment backstage, "It wasn’t my night. He’s strong, but I’ll be back." The victory solidified Chimaev’s status as a dominant force and immediately positioned him as a potential challenger for a future RAF championship, irrespective of the weight class, given his past fluidity between welterweight and middleweight.
The co-main event delivered a tactical masterclass as Arman Tsarukyan welcomed former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson to the RAF cage. Tsarukyan, who had compiled an impressive 18-3 professional record prior to his RAF debut, including notable victories over top contenders in his previous promotion, represented the new wave of elite lightweights. Ferguson, a fan favorite known as "El Cucuy," entered the fight with a career record of 25-8, but was seeking to snap a challenging seven-fight losing streak that dated back to 2020. His move to RAF was widely seen as an opportunity for a career reset, away from the intense pressures of his previous promotional home.
The stylistic clash was evident from the outset. Tsarukyan, with his blend of high-level wrestling, crisp striking, and relentless pace, immediately took the center of the cage. He peppered Ferguson with stinging leg kicks and sharp combinations, forcing Ferguson to constantly shift and adapt. Ferguson, true to his unorthodox style, attempted his signature spinning attacks and unpredictable angles, but Tsarukyan’s defensive awareness and footwork largely nullified these threats. In the first round, Tsarukyan secured a crucial takedown midway through, maintaining control for over two minutes and landing short punches and elbows, effectively banking the round.
The second round saw Ferguson increase his aggression, landing a few significant jabs and a glancing elbow that opened a small cut near Tsarukyan’s left eye. However, Tsarukyan responded with a perfectly timed counter-takedown, once again showcasing his superior grappling. On the ground, Tsarukyan’s control was suffocating, preventing Ferguson from utilizing his dangerous D’Arce chokes or triangle attempts. Tsarukyan spent the remainder of the round in dominant positions, methodically working to improve his posture and land strikes.
In the third and final round, with the fight potentially hanging in the balance, Tsarukyan pressed his advantage. He continued to chop away at Ferguson’s lead leg, visibly impacting Ferguson’s mobility. A clean left hook from Tsarukyan found its mark, momentarily stunning Ferguson, who instinctively shot for a takedown that was easily stuffed. Tsarukyan then took Ferguson’s back standing, transitioning to a rear-naked choke attempt that Ferguson bravely defended until the final horn. The judges’ scorecards reflected Tsarukyan’s dominance, awarding him a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
"Tony is a legend, and it was an honor to fight him, but I am here to be champion," Tsarukyan stated respectfully after his victory. "This is a new chapter, and I want the biggest challenges RAF has to offer." Ferguson, despite the loss, received a standing ovation from the St. Louis crowd for his enduring spirit, acknowledging the defeat with a nod before exiting the cage.
The undercard delivered a series of exciting bouts, including two interim title fights. In the Women’s Interim Strawweight Title bout, Lucía Yépez (9-1) showcased her potent grappling, submitting Kendra Ryan (7-2) via armbar in the third round, staking her claim as a dominant force in the division. The Bantamweight Title contest saw Austin DeSanto (15-2), a decorated collegiate wrestler, utilize his superior ground game to earn a comprehensive unanimous decision victory over Reineri Andreu (12-3), controlling the majority of the fight and defending Andreu’s submission attempts with precision.
Further down the card, the highly anticipated featherweight clash between Aaron Pico (14-3) and Lance Palmer (22-7) lived up to its billing as a wrestling spectacle. Pico, known for his dynamic striking and collegiate wrestling background, outpointed Palmer in a gritty, technical battle, securing a split decision victory after three intense rounds of scrambles and position changes. Hayden Zillmer (11-1) continued his ascent in the light heavyweight division with a thunderous first-round knockout over Rizabek Aitmukhan (9-2), demonstrating his raw power and earning a potential shot at title contention.
Other notable results included Sebastian Rivera (13-4) defeating Haji Aliyev (10-3) by unanimous decision in a lightweight contest, and Keegan O’Toole (8-0) maintaining his undefeated record with a dominant performance over Bekzod Abdurakhmonov (10-4) in their welterweight encounter, winning by TKO in the second round. Andrew Alirez (7-0) continued to impress in the featherweight division, securing a clear unanimous decision over Jaydin Eierman (6-2). In the heavyweight division, Yonger Bastida (11-2) edged out Shamil Sharipov (12-3) via split decision, while Arsen Harutyunyan (10-1) showcased his striking prowess with a second-round TKO victory over Caleb Smith (8-4) in their bantamweight clash.
RAF 10 successfully underscored the promotion’s growing influence in the mixed martial arts landscape. With a star-studded main card delivering on its promises, the event at Chaifetz Arena captivated audiences and generated significant buzz. The impressive debuts of Chimaev and Tsarukyan signal a new era for RAF, positioning them as serious contenders to challenge the established order of combat sports. Future events are expected to build on this momentum, with potential matchups for Chimaev against other high-profile signings or a title shot, and Tsarukyan likely to face another top lightweight in his quest for RAF gold.
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