Arsen Harutyunyan defeats Austin DeSanto to become RAF champion
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
Armenian wrestler Arsen Harutyunyan has become the new Real American Freestyle (RAF) bantamweight champion. In the title bout at RAF 13, held in Miami on September 19, the four-time European champion defeated American wrestler Austin DeSanto.
The bout went the full distance of three periods and ended with Harutyunyan winning 6-3.
The match was highly competitive and difficult for both wrestlers. Arsen took a 2-0 lead, but DeSanto managed to seize the initiative in the second period and level the score.
The decisive moments came late in the bout. Harutyunyan raised the pace again, scored several effective actions and secured the victory through takedowns and control, finishing the contest 6-3.
As a result, the Armenian wrestler took the championship belt from DeSanto. Before facing Harutyunyan, the American had won three bouts in RAF and became the promotion’s champion. In 2026, DeSanto also won the Pan American Championship in the 61 kg weight category.
For Arsen Harutyunyan, this was his third appearance in the RAF league. The Armenian wrestler claimed his third consecutive victory and is now the promotion’s champion.