Arman Tsarukyan takes on 2-time PFL champion at RAF 5

Arman Tsarukyan continues to find opponents outside of the octagon.

On Monday, Real American Freestyle announced that the top UFC lightweight contender is set to face former PFL standout Lance Palmer at RAF 5 on Jan. 10 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla.

This marks Tsarukyan’s RAF debut.

Tsarukyan has stayed busy in 2025 after an injury forced him out of a fight with Islam Makhachev for a lightweight title, which was supposed to take place at UFC 311 in January. He made a successful return to the octagon at UFC Qatar in November, making short work of Dan Hooker, and has also competed outside of MMA as he waits for the 155-pound contender picture to sort itself out.

This past Wednesday, Tsarukyan won a title in the ACCBJJ promotion, and he also scored grappling victories over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, Patricky Pitbull, and Makkasharip Zaynukov in 2025. He is yet to have his next UFC fight booked, but has already signed on for his first competitive bout of 2026.

Palmer, a two-time PFL tournament winner at 145 pounds and a former WSOF featherweight champion, is also four-time NCAA Division-I All-American in wrestling from his years competing at Ohio State University. He competed at RAF’s inaugural event in August, losing a decision to Austin Gomez.

RAF 5 also includes a highly anticipated wrestling matchup between Yoel Romero and Bo Nickal, plus Colby Covington vs. Luke Rockhold.