Last Updated on March 1, 2026 by Pragjyoti Singh
RAF wrestling is bringing its sixth event to the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, this Saturday, and the card is stacked with familiar names. The event is headlined by UFC legends Henry Cejudo and Urijah Faber, but they aren’t the only big draw. UFC star Arman Tsarukyan is also set to compete against Georgio Poullas, looking to build on his success after a win over Lance Palmer at RAF 5.
Beyond the matchups, RAF is making some serious waves in the business world. The promotion recently signed two-time Olympic gold medalist Abdulrashid Sadulaev to an exclusive deal for what reports are calling a massive payday. RAF CEO Chad Bronstein believes this signing is a game-changer for the league’s future, stating, “His decision to sign exclusively with RAF is a clear signal that the top tier of the sport now sees RAF as the professional destination. This accelerates our position with broadcasters, partners, and fans as we continue to scale the platform globally.”
How much is RAF wrestling paying Henry Cejudo, Arman Tsarukyan and others?
For Henry Cejudo, joining Real American Freestyle (RAF) isn’t just about getting back on the wrestling mat—it’s about the paycheck. Recently, “Triple C” tried to talk his old rival, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, into coming out of retirement for a trilogy match under the RAF banner. Cejudo didn’t hold back on why he’s so excited about the new promotion.
“I know, dude… I’m stoked. It’s good stuff, and they’re paying good money, DJ… A lot of people are calling you out,” Cejudo said. “This is the trilogy!”
While Johnson wasn’t interested in being “conned” back into competition, Cejudo’s comments highlight a major shift in the sport. RAF is quickly becoming a lucrative destination for top-tier talent. While most contracts stay private, the money is clearly there; top stars like Abdulrashid Sadulaev are reportedly pulling in six-figure deals. For MMA fighters with wrestling backgrounds, it’s a massive secondary revenue stream that offers multi-year security—something that’s historically been hard to find in the wrestling world.
From Sadulaev’s Massive Payday to Arman Tsarukyan’s High-Stakes Bet
The biggest sign that wrestling is turning into a real professional league is the arrival of Abdulrashid Sadulaev. Widely considered the best wrestler on the planet, the two-time Olympic gold medalist just signed a massive, exclusive, multi-year deal with RAF. The money isn’t just “good”—it’s life-changing. Reports have him pulling in $100,000 just to step on the mat, with another $100,000 waiting if he gets the win.
While the Russian Wrestling Federation definitely isn’t happy about the move, Sadulaev hasn’t backed down. He’s comparing his jump to RAF to a hockey player joining the NHL or a fighter heading to the UFC. He wants to get paid while he’s still in his prime, and for him, this is strictly business.
This pro-wrestling boom is exactly why guys like Arman Tsarukyan are getting involved, too. But for Arman, it’s not just about the check—it’s about the trash talk. He’s set to face Georgio Poullas, a former D-I wrestler and influencer who’s made a name for himself with a viral “take me down for $1,000” challenge. Poullas isn’t intimidated by the UFC star, and he’s already ramping up the hype for their match:
“I think I’m going to take him down multiple times. The question is, is he gonna get that $1,000? Can he take me down?… If you’re asking about a simple takedown, absolutely, 100 percent. I think I’m getting more than one takedown. I’m adding quite a few up, if you ask me,” Poullas said.
Between huge deals for global superstars like Sadulaev and high-stakes side bets on the mats, the message is loud and clear: wrestling isn’t just an amateur sport anymore. It’s a career path where the best in the world can finally stack real money, and for guys like Tsarukyan,Cejudo, and Faber that makes the competition a whole lot more interesting.
I’m a lifelong MMA enthusiast with a passion for covering the sport’s biggest stories through an unbiased lens. With five years of experience in the MMA media industry, I aim to deliver the highest standard of journalism while covering the UFC and its biggest stars for a global audience. In addition to MMA, I also cover boxing and am an avid soccer (football) fan.
I also have a healthy social media presence and my MMA pages at the time of writing this has over 25K followers on multiple platforms.
You can reach out on my Linkedin for professional services and promotion.