RAF 11 Results: Colby Covington edges Arman Tsarukyan to claim inaugural crossover belt

Colby Covington Edges Arman Tsarukyan to Claim Inaugural RAF Crossover Belt

Colby Covington secured the inaugural Real American Freestyle (RAF) crossover championship on Saturday night, defeating fellow UFC veteran Arman Tsarukyan by a score of 5-3 in the main event of RAF 11. The match took place at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Covington, a former Division 1 All-American wrestler and interim UFC welterweight champion, maintained his undefeated status in the wrestling promotion, moving to 3-0. The loss marked the first for Tsarukyan under the RAF banner, dropping his record to 7-1.

Match Breakdown: A Tactical Battle

The contest saw both competitors working through various grappling exchanges, including snap downs and arm drags. Covington, noted as the larger man in the matchup, utilized his defensive wrestling to neutralize Tsarukyan’s offensive efforts throughout the three-round bout. In the first round, Covington established an early lead after executing a waist wrap takedown following a single-leg attempt from Tsarukyan. Including a shot clock point, Covington entered the second period with a 3-0 advantage. Tsarukyan found success in the second round, lifting Covington in the air to secure a takedown after Covington bailed out to avoid exposure. However, Covington regained momentum late in the period, sprawling effectively to turn a scramble into two additional points. Heading into the final round, Tsarukyan pressed forward with urgency, forcing a shot clock violation on Covington. Despite sustained pressure, Tsarukyan was unable to penetrate Covington’s defense. Covington maintained his position, effectively sprawling to hold his lead and secure the 5-3 victory.

Post-Match Tensions and Future Stakes

Following the victory, Covington spoke with Chael Sonnen, praising Tsarukyan’s technical abilities. It was an honor to compete against Arman tonight, Covington said. His tie-ups, his feints, getting to the legs, able to build up – he's a strong dude. However, the tone shifted during the RAF 11 post-fight press conference. After Belal Muhammad—who defeated Ben Askren 6-3 in the co-main event—offered a critical assessment of Covington’s performance, an altercation ensued. The exchange between the two fighters escalated from verbal insults to physical contact, with Muhammad charging at Covington and delivering a kick before security intervened to separate them. RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein subsequently announced that the conflict will be settled in the ring, as Covington and Muhammad are scheduled to face each other in the co-main event of RAF 12. Covington, who also listed Khamzat Chimaev and Tyron Woodley as potential future opponents, characterized the upcoming bout against Muhammad as “easy money.”

RAF 11 Results

The following matches were recorded at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena: