Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington are officially scheduled to compete in the main event of RAF 11. The highly anticipated wrestling showdown will take place on July 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This announcement comes after months of public exchanges between the two fighters and was made live following Covington’s recent victory at RAF 09.
The bout will be contested at cruiserweight, a division that ensures a more evenly matched encounter in terms of size. RAF executives confirmed the fight, noting that Covington’s retirement from UFC competition removes any final obstacles.
Both Tsarukyan and Covington emerged victorious from their respective bouts at RAF 09. Tsarukyan secured his fifth consecutive win in the promotion with a technical fall, maintaining his undefeated RAF record. Covington also extended his winning streak to three in RAF, narrowly defeating former UFC champion Chris Weidman.
The mutual interest in facing each other became evident during post-match interviews. Tsarukyan directly challenged Covington, expressing his confidence and stating his intention to prove he is the premier MMA wrestler. Covington, in turn, responded by interrupting Tsarukyan’s interview, downplaying his performance and urging him to be prepared for a serious wrestling match.
Following the official announcement, Covington expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to face Tsarukyan, acknowledging the trash talk and emphasizing that there are no more excuses for Tsarukyan to avoid the match. Covington highlighted his strong wrestling background as a former All-American and anticipates presenting a significant challenge to Tsarukyan, aiming to hand him his first loss in RAF.
Tsarukyan’s schedule remains demanding. He is also slated to face Tony Ferguson in a wrestling match at RAF 10 on June 13 in St. Louis. That event will also feature Khamzat Chimaev’s debut in RAF against Dillon Danis. Notably, Covington previously defeated Danis at RAF 07.
RAF 09 was headlined by Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, who made a dominant debut in the promotion. The event featured a strong lineup of notable fighters.
Tsarukyan, 29, trains at American Top Team and holds an impressive 5-0 record in RAF. Covington, 37, a former UFC title challenger, boasts a 3-0 record in RAF. While the cruiserweight division aims for parity, Covington suggested he might have a slight weight advantage.
This confirmed main event at RAF 11 is a significant draw for fans of grappling and MMA crossover. The approximately six-week preparation window allows both fighters ample time to train following their recent performances. With Covington no longer tied to UFC obligations and Tsarukyan able to focus on wrestling outside of his MMA commitments, the highly anticipated bout is set to proceed without further delays.
English Translation
Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington are officially slated to compete in the main event of RAF 11. The highly anticipated wrestling showdown will take place on July 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This announcement follows months of public exchanges between the two fighters and was made live after Covington’s recent victory at RAF 09.
The bout will be contested at cruiserweight, a division designed to ensure a more evenly matched encounter in terms of size. RAF executives confirmed the fight, noting that Covington’s retirement from UFC competition removes any final obstacles.
Both Tsarukyan and Covington emerged victorious from their respective matches at RAF 09. Tsarukyan secured his fifth consecutive win in the promotion with a technical fall, maintaining his undefeated RAF record. Covington also extended his winning streak to three in RAF, narrowly defeating former UFC champion Chris Weidman.
The mutual interest in facing each other became evident during post-match interviews. Tsarukyan directly challenged Covington, expressing his confidence and stating his intention to prove he is the premier MMA wrestler. Covington, in turn, responded by interrupting Tsarukyan’s interview, downplaying his performance and urging him to be prepared for a serious wrestling match.
Following the official announcement, Covington expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to face Tsarukyan, acknowledging the trash talk and emphasizing that there are no more excuses for Tsarukyan to avoid the match. Covington highlighted his strong wrestling background as a former All-American and anticipates presenting a significant challenge to Tsarukyan, aiming to hand him his first loss in RAF.
Tsarukyan’s schedule remains demanding. He is also slated to face Tony Ferguson in a wrestling match at RAF 10 on June 13 in St. Louis. That event will also feature Khamzat Chimaev’s debut in RAF against Dillon Danis. Notably, Covington previously defeated Danis at RAF 07.
RAF 09 was headlined by Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, who made a dominant debut in the promotion. The event featured a strong lineup of notable fighters.
Tsarukyan, 29, trains at American Top Team and holds an impressive 5-0 record in RAF. Covington, 37, a former UFC title challenger, boasts a 3-0 record in RAF. While the cruiserweight division aims for parity, Covington suggested he might have a slight weight advantage.
This confirmed main event at RAF 11 is a significant draw for fans of grappling and MMA crossover. The approximately six-week preparation window allows both fighters ample time to train following their recent performances. With Covington no longer tied to UFC obligations and Tsarukyan able to focus on wrestling outside of his MMA commitments, the highly anticipated bout is set to proceed without further delays.
