RAF 14: Tsarukyan tech-falls Danis for crossover title, Caliendo upsets Burroughs

Arman Tsarukyan needed around 80 seconds to finish one of RAF's most heated builds, according to Combat Sports UK, piling up takedowns, step-outs and a turn against Dillon Danis, who had cut down to 175lb. Their press conference a day earlier ended in a brawl after Danis wore a shirt mocking Tsarukyan's teammate Khamzat Chimaev, and Yardbarker reports Tsarukyan slapped Danis early in the match, drawing a warning. Asked by Chael Sonnen whether the feud was over, Tsarukyan said it ends only when they fight in the cage.

The night's upset reshaped Tsarukyan's plans. With Jordan Burroughs handed his first RAF loss by Mikey Caliendo, Tsarukyan said at the post-event press conference that Burroughs no longer interests him and named Georges St-Pierre as the name he wants if RAF can sign him. "I want to collect all big names, all the best fighters," he said, per Combat Sports UK. In MMA, he still hopes his next UFC fight is against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.

Khamzat Chimaev, who lost the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland in May, ended his co-main with Lawler with 20 seconds left in the first period, according to ActuMMA, then told MMA Fighting he was glad to finally face Colby Covington and vowed to break his neck. Former Bellator champion Alexander Shlemenko, beaten in his RAF debut, said in a YouTube video that he lacked wrestling experience but gained a lot from the night.

 

[Scheels]

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