Covington Victorious in Milwaukee Main Event
Colby Covington defeated Arman Tsarukyan with a score of 5-3 to win the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title at RAF 11. The event, held at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featured a main event wrestling match between the two athletes. Covington, a former Division 1 All-American wrestler and JUCO national champion, secured his victory in a match that spanned three periods.
Tsarukyan, who has been a prominent figure in RAF in 2026, had competed in seven previous events for the promotion, maintaining an undefeated 7-0 record within RAF prior to this match. Despite not having a traditional wrestling background, Tsarukyan had demonstrated significant capability on the mats, earning him the opportunity to compete for the inaugural Crossover title against Covington.
Covington, known as “Chaos,” transitioned to RAF after retiring from MMA earlier in the year. His MMA career included winning an interim title and competing for an undisputed championship multiple times in the UFC. He quickly amassed three wins in RAF, leading to this title match against Tsarukyan.
Match Dynamics and Key Moments
The match began with Covington seeking collar ties and securing a headlock. Tsarukyan responded by muscling Covington down with a front headlock. A referee break led to Tsarukyan being placed on the shot clock. Despite fighting for double unders and another headlock, Tsarukyan was unable to score and went down a point, marking a rare instance of him trailing in RAF competition. Covington then scored two points after Tsarukyan attempted a leg dive, ending the first period with Covington leading 3-0.
In the second period, Covington maintained his lead, securing double unders. Tsarukyan appeared to struggle with Covington’s size. Tsarukyan attempted a shot and lift, bringing the score to 3-2. Covington then initiated a shot on a single leg, with Tsarukyan attempting to escape. A gator roll from Covington did not result in a score. Covington managed to score again before the end of the period after a shot attempt by Tsarukyan, extending his lead to 5-2.
The third period saw Tsarukyan looking visibly fatigued. Covington controlled the center of the mat. Tsarukyan’s desperation led to shots from too far out, which Covington effectively countered with sprawls and front headlocks. Covington was placed on the shot clock but did not score, making the score 5-3. Tsarukyan attempted a deep shot, but Covington responded with a quick sprawl. As the referee restarted the action, Tsarukyan shot again, but Covington allowed the clock to expire, securing his 5-3 victory and the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title.
Post-Match Reactions and RAF Background
Following his win, Covington expressed respect for Tsarukyan, stating it was an honor to compete against him and acknowledging Tsarukyan’s skills in tie-ups, fades, and leg attacks. Covington also issued a challenge to other fighters, including Chimaev, Belal, and Woodley, indicating his intention to defend his newly acquired title. Tsarukyan did not provide an interview after the match.
Real American Freestyle (RAF) is a professional, unscripted freestyle wrestling promotion that launched in April 2025. It aims to provide a platform for freestyle wrestlers to develop their careers and earn a living, similar to athletes in other combat sports. The organization was co-founded by the late Hulk Hogan, entrepreneur Chad Bronstein, and coach Izzy Martinez. Bronstein serves as the company’s chief executive officer, with Martinez as chief operating officer, and longtime pro wrestling figure Eric Bischoff as chief media officer.
The RAF 11 event, which took place on July 18, featured athletes from both college wrestling and MMA. The roster of RAF includes 127 men and 23 women. The Milwaukee event specifically scheduled 10 men’s matches and two women’s matches. Another notable match at RAF 11 was a cruiserweight bout between Ben Askren and Belal Muhammad. Askren, a two-time NCAA champion and former MMA champion, was making a return to competition. The event was streamed on Fox Nation, a video-on-demand service.
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Source: mmafighting.com
