This is the live blog for Arman Tsarukyan vs. Georgio Poullas 2, the main event for RAF 7 on Saturday night at Yuengling Center in Tampa, Fla.
One of the best MMA fighters in the world, Tsarukyan has spent much of the past year and a half embarking on sidequests in the worlds of grappling and wrestling. That includes a pair of matches in Real American Freestyle, most recently taking on Poullas at RAF 6, which quickly devolved into a total fiasco. Tsarukyan won that contest, but the tomfoolery and brawl afterward led to this inevitable rematch.
An Ohio State wrestling champion in high school, Poullas wrestled in college at Cleveland State, but rose to prominence as a social media star with the gimmick that people cannot take him down. In his first matchup with Tsarukyan, Poullas technically kept that gimmick alive, but lost the match, and didn’t endear himself to fans with his roughhouse tactics. Now he has a chance to redeem himself in a rematch with Tsarukyan.
Check out the live blog for Tsarukyan vs. Poullas 2 below.
OK, let’s see just how wild this gets. I’m betting it goes bad.
Low crouch for both men, and Poullas dives for the ankles early but Tsarukyan backs out. A tie up goes no where and back to space. Tsarukyan shoots, rebuffed, back to tie up, quick pace. Tsarukyan pushes for a force out, but Poullas side steps.
Back to the middle and strong hand-fighting from both men. No clubbing this time around, so that’s nice. Tsarukyan pushing the pace but Poullas equal to it, forcing an over/under clinch. Tsarukyan trying to work off the arms, Poullas digs a deep underhook but neither man can gain significant purchase.
Poullas was apparently put on a shot clock window and fails, givine Tsarukyan a point. More tense fighting int he tie-ups. Lots’ of jockeying and pummeling for position, without either man gaining ground.
Period ends 1-0 Tsarukyan.
Before the period starts, Tsarukyan is complaining about something. I think it’s because Poullas is taking too. long? Oh, he’s getting wrapped up for something I guess? But the crowd is booing loudly. Poullas’ corner is really taking their time. Tactics or a real injury as they tape his right hand? We may never know.
We’re finally back to mat, except not. Poullas getting sent back to get toweled off. Loooooong break between periods.
Finally back to the action. Head fighting and hand positions early. Again, Tsarukyan the one advancing, but Poullas staying away from the edge well. Tie up and Poullas works an underhook to try for a knee tap, but Tsarukyan defends. Tsarukyan working off a two-on-one and ref puts Poullas back on the shot clock.
Tsarukyan to a two-on-one again, Poullas gets a headlock. Neither man can get anything going, and Poullas is really stalling hard here. Tsarukyan ducks under for a shot but Poullas moves away and Tsarukyan gets a point for the shot clock.
Poullas goes for a toss by but fails and Tsarukyan blasts in with a quick double but Poullas sprawls! Tsarukyan trying to drive but cannot and Poullas nearly hits a turn to the back but Tsarukyan bails to his feet before the period ends.
Tsarukyan up 2-0 headed into the final period.
No shenanigans from Poullas this time and we start on time. Again, Tsarukyan advancing and more hand-fighting. Tsarukyan is able to pummel into double underhooks and drives Poullas back! Tsarukyan goes for an inside trip for the takedown, but Poullas steps back and out, 3-0 Tsarukyan.
Now Poullas finally shoots in, and Tsarukyan is on a front headlock.
OH!!!!! Tsarukyan tried a sacrifice throw and nearly pinned himself! Poullas gets 2 points for a takedown, but Tsarukyan spins him for exposure points and then Poullas forces him out. 5-3
Short time and OH!!!!!!!! He did it!!!! Tsarukyan spins to the back off a bad shoot, gets the waist lock, and gets a high amplitude takedown! Big points to end it for Tsarukyan and the takedown!
Arman Tsarukyan def. Georgio Poullas via Points (9-3)
Tsarukyan speaks with Chael Sonnen and gives love to his fans, who are loud in the stands. He then says he’s going to be RAF champion, UFC champion, and c”collect all the belts in the world.” Tsarukyan and Poulas spoke after and Tsarukyan says Poullas agreed to pay him for their bet.
Tsarukyan then does give thanks to Poullas for making this so big. And ends by calling out Colby Covington.
“Colby Covington, stop trash talking, let me beat your ass.”
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