Renegade Athletic Federation 6 Sees Henry Cejudo Triumphant Over Urijah Faber in Tempe Superfight.

Tempe, Arizona – The Mullet Arena hosted a pivotal night of elite grappling and combat sports Saturday, February 27, 2026, as the Renegade Athletic Federation (RAF) presented its sixth installment, headlined by a highly anticipated superfight between former UFC two-division champion and Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo and legendary UFC veteran Urijah Faber. The event, broadcast live on FOX Nation, delivered a blend of high-level wrestling and submission artistry, drawing significant attention from across the combat sports spectrum.

In the main event, Henry Cejudo, returning to competitive action for the first time since his retirement from the UFC this past December (2025), secured a hard-fought victory over Urijah Faber via unanimous decision after a captivating three-round contest. The bout, contested under specific RAF grappling rules emphasizing control, takedowns, and submission attempts, showcased Cejudo’s exceptional wrestling pedigree and Faber’s renowned tenacity and submission defense. The judges’ scorecards, though not immediately disclosed in detail, reflected Cejudo’s consistent pressure, superior positional control, and several close submission attempts throughout the 15-minute encounter.

Cejudo, at 39 years old, entered the grappling arena with a narrative of redemption following a challenging period in his mixed martial arts career, which culminated in four consecutive UFC losses before his retirement. His distinguished background as an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Games provided a solid foundation for this transition, a fact heavily emphasized in the pre-fight promotion. Observers noted that Cejudo’s strategy focused on active chain wrestling, frequently changing levels and driving for takedowns, which he successfully executed multiple times against the veteran Faber. Once on the mat, Cejudo worked diligently for back control and threatened with rear-naked chokes, though Faber’s experience allowed him to consistently escape dangerous positions.

Urijah Faber, seven years Cejudo’s senior at 46, brought his own storied history to the event. "The California Kid" had retired from the UFC in 2019 but has remained active in the grappling circuit, accumulating several victories against high-caliber opponents. Faber’s game plan appeared to center on counter-grappling, utilizing his quick scrambles and defensive prowess to frustrate Cejudo’s offensive bursts. He showcased his trademark guillotines and heel hook attempts from guard, providing moments of tension for Cejudo, but ultimately could not maintain sustained offensive pressure or secure the decisive submission needed to swing the judges’ favor. The crowd at Mullet Arena was vocally supportive of both fighters, acknowledging the historical significance of their matchup outside the traditional MMA octagon.

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The co-main event featured a clash between rising MMA lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan and European grappling specialist Georgio Poullas. Tsarukyan, known for his relentless pace and strong wrestling base in the UFC, transitioned seamlessly into the grappling ruleset, defeating Poullas by submission in the second round. Tsarukyan’s victory came via an arm-triangle choke at 3:42 of the second frame, a testament to his evolving ground game. Poullas, while demonstrating sharp technical defense in the initial exchanges, eventually succumbed to Tsarukyan’s overwhelming pressure and conditioning. This win further solidifies Tsarukyan’s reputation as a multifaceted threat, capable of excelling across various combat sports disciplines.

The undercard delivered a series of high-stakes grappling matches, showcasing both established names and emerging talents from the wrestling and submission grappling communities.

Full RAF 6 Results from Mullet Arena:

Henry Cejudo def. Urijah Faber via Unanimous Decision (Grappling Superfight): Cejudo’s consistent takedowns and control time proved decisive against Faber’s defensive resilience.
Arman Tsarukyan def. Georgio Poullas via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) at 3:42, Round 2: Tsarukyan’s relentless pressure and improving submission game secured a dominant win.
David Carr def. Bubba Jenkins via Split Decision: A closely contested bout between two decorated collegiate wrestlers. Carr, a multiple-time NCAA All-American, edged out the former NCAA champion Jenkins in a strategic battle marked by cautious exchanges and pivotal takedowns.
Stephen Buchanan def. Givi Matcharashvili via Points Decision (Overtime): A high-paced, back-and-forth contest showcasing aggressive folkstyle wrestling. Buchanan, a former NCAA champion, secured the win in a sudden-death overtime period following a scoreless regulation.
Jami Guzman def. Everest Leydecker via Submission (Armbar) at 1:58, Round 1: Guzman demonstrated her submission prowess with a quick finish, catching Leydecker in a slick transition.
Tajmuraz Salkazanov def. Keegan O’Toole via Unanimous Decision: Salkazanov, a highly regarded international freestyle wrestler, displayed superior technique and mat generalship against the formidable NCAA champion O’Toole, controlling positions and threatening with leg attacks.
Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov def. Evan Wick via Points Decision: An intense technical battle saw the Olympic medalist Kadimagomedov outpoint the NCAA All-American Wick with precise entries and defensive mastery.
Zahid Valencia def. Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 4:10, Round 2: Valencia, a two-time NCAA champion, showcased his developing submission game, catching Sebie, an Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling, in a scramble.
Jordan Oliver def. Beau Bartlett via Unanimous Decision: A veteran of the freestyle wrestling scene, Oliver utilized his experience and quickness to overcome the younger, dynamic NCAA All-American Bartlett in a high-scoring affair.
Clay Guida def. Keelon Jimison via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:31, Round 1: Veteran UFC lightweight Clay Guida, making a rare grappling appearance, quickly secured a submission victory, demonstrating his enduring ground skills against Jimison. Guida’s transition back to pure grappling was met with an enthusiastic reception.
Aljamain Sterling def. Benson Henderson via Unanimous Decision: Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling proved his grappling acumen, outmaneuvering former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in a technical exchange. Sterling’s dynamic movement and control earned him the nod over Henderson’s durable defense.
Andrew Alvarez def. Bryce Meredith via Split Decision: A tight contest between two collegiate wrestling standouts, with Alvarez narrowly taking the victory based on a late surge in positional control.

The event marked a significant moment for the Renegade Athletic Federation, further establishing its presence in the combat sports landscape by blending high-profile grappling superfights with bouts featuring top-tier wrestling talent. The inclusion of current and former UFC stars like Cejudo, Faber, Tsarukyan, Guida, Sterling, and Henderson on the card underscores a growing trend of mixed martial artists returning to their grappling roots for competitive challenges outside the octagon. RAF 6 delivered on its promise of elite-level grappling, leaving fans eager for future events. The success of these "superfight" matchups, particularly the main event, indicates a strong market for such crossover contests, appealing to both grappling purists and general combat sports enthusiasts.

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