Raf Wrestling: Georgio Poullas warns ‘I won’t be surprised if there’s another brawl’ ahead of RAF 7
Under the bright arena lights at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Fla., the memory of a chaotic mat scene still lingers: a match ending on points, then a shove and punches that spilled beyond the rules. That viral moment grew out of raf wrestling at RAF 6, and Georgio Poullas says he is prepared for whatever comes next at RAF 7. “I can tell you, I’ll be ready for it this time, whatever happens, ” Poullas said, calling his opponent’s earlier actions “a coward move. “
Could Raf Wrestling erupt again at RAF 7?
Short answer: it’s possible, and both fighters are primed for confrontation. The RAF 7 main event is a rematch after Arman Tsarukyan narrowly beat Poullas at RAF 6 on points (5-3) and then escalated the encounter by shoving Poullas onto his back and striking him after the match had clearly ended. Poullas describes the post-match attack as cowardly and says he expects to be ready if Tsarukyan acts out again. The rematch carries that unsettled history into the same arena environment, with organizers and onlookers aware that a repeat would quickly capture public attention.
What happened at their first match and why did raf wrestling go viral?
The first meeting at RAF 6 began as a wrestling contest with penalties for strikes to the head and an open-hand slap that cost a point. Tsarukyan won 5-3 on the scoreboard, but the larger story unfolded after the contest. Poullas continued to press, and an altercation between rounds required officials to step onto the mats to restore order. When the match ended, Tsarukyan shoved Poullas to the mat and delivered punches before others intervened; an attempted knee strike added to the chaos as bodies tumbled. Commentators expressed regret and disapproval of the display during the broadcast, and the clip spread widely online. For Poullas, the moment has been a form of visibility as well as provocation: he acknowledges that the viral clip raised his profile, and he now frames the rematch as both a sporting test and a moment of personal accountability.
What are promoters, fighters, and RAF leadership doing to prevent another post-match brawl?
Responses have been practical and situational. At RAF 6, officials walked onto the mats to cool the situation when order threatened to dissolve. For RAF 7, organizers are presenting a stacked card that includes not only the Poullas–Tsarukyan rematch but also a high-profile co-main event pairing Colby Covington and Dillon Danis, plus title matches featuring well-known American wrestlers. RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein has spoken about expectations for the card and believes certain fighters will appear as planned, while also preparing backup options if needed. On the fighter side, Poullas has publicly framed his stance: he thinks Tsarukyan “doesn’t have respect for his opponents” and that he acts out when frustrated. Conversely, Arman Tsarukyan has expressed hope that another brawl will not happen at RAF 7, but has warned that if it does, it won’t go well for Poullas. These statements make clear that leaders, matchmakers, and the competitors themselves are aware of both the reputational risk and the incentive to keep the events under control.
The tension around these matchups is not limited to the main event. The co-main between Colby Covington and Dillon Danis teased physical confrontation ahead of their wrestling match, and RAF leadership has prepared contingency plans for attendance and availability. In the arena, that combination of high-stakes matchups and combustible personalities is what drew viral attention before and could do so again.
Back on the mats where the first viral clip began, the scene will look the same but feel different. Bright lights, an expectant crowd, and competitors who remember how quickly a rules-based contest can spill into something else. For Poullas, the memory of being struck after the bell is fuel: “If you’re going to hit me, hit me when I’m looking at you. Don’t be a coward about it, ” he said. Promoters and RAF leadership have outlined plans and backups, and officials remain ready to intervene. Still, the possibility of another viral moment hangs over RAF 7—leaving the sport, the fighters, and the audience watching to see whether raf wrestling will be defined by competition or confrontation this time.
