Following impressive performances at RAF 7, two prominent fighters are now engaged in a heated discussion about a potential wrestling matchup. Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington have turned their attention to settling their differences on the grappling mat, though significant hurdles remain before the bout can materialize.
The RAF 7 Victories That Started It All
Tsarukyan's Dominant Performance Against Poullas
Arman Tsarukyan delivered an impressive display of grappling prowess during his RAF 7 bout against Georgio Poullas. After a controversial debut in the organization that resulted in a post-match altercation, the veteran lightweight showed considerably more composure in his second appearance. A devastating throw executed late in the match proved to be the decisive moment, securing an emphatic victory and elevating his RAF record to 3-0. This performance reaffirmed Tsarukyan's status as a formidable competitor in the specialized grappling arena.
Covington's Technical Fall Over Danis
Colby Covington demonstrated his wrestling credentials during his RAF 7 engagement against Dillon Danis. Though Danis managed to score points early in the contest, Covington ramped up his intensity during the second period. He secured a technical fall after establishing a commanding 14-4 lead, showcasing the grappling dominance that made him a notable UFC welterweight competitor. The convincing victory set the stage for Covington to pursue bigger challenges within the RAF platform.
Covington Proposes the Matchup
The American Top Team Connection Claim
Following his RAF 7 victory, Covington publicly floated the idea of facing Tsarukyan, claiming the two had previously trained together at American Top Team in Florida. At the post-match press conference, he articulated his interest with confident rhetoric, characterizing the potential matchup as compelling television. Covington emphasized that the bout carries significant narrative appeal, framing it as the type of high-level wrestling encounter that RAF audiences would appreciate.
UFC Approval: The Major Hurdle
The primary obstacle to arranging this contest lies with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Since both competitors maintain active UFC contracts, they require explicit approval from the promotion to compete in outside events. While the UFC has permitted RAF participation under generally permissive guidelines, there remains one critical restriction: preventing matchups between two currently active UFC athletes. Covington expressed his intention to discuss the matter with UFC executive Hunter Campbell during the promotion's upcoming Miami event, suggesting that behind-the-scenes negotiations would be necessary to greenlight the showdown.
Tsarukyan Fires Back With Controversial Claims
The Denial and Identity Confusion
Tsarukyan responded to Covington's proposal and training history claims with outright denial. He stated categorically that the two had never wrestled together, suggesting that Covington may have confused him with another fighter. Tsarukyan pointed out that numerous grapplers from Dagestan and Chechnya bear physical similarities, making such confusion theoretically plausible. This assertion directly contradicted Covington's narrative while simultaneously challenging the former UFC interim welterweight champion's recollection of past training sessions.
The Dillon Danis Comparison
To strengthen his argument regarding Covington's wrestling capabilities, Tsarukyan highlighted the competitive nature of Covington's RAF 7 victory. He noted that Danis, despite possessing zero freestyle wrestling experience, still managed to score points against Covington. Tsarukyan used this fact to cast doubt on Covington's wrestling supremacy claims. Since Danis functions primarily as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist rather than a trained wrestler, Tsarukyan reasoned that someone with his grappling pedigree would present a significantly greater challenge.
Confidence in Grappling Superiority
The lightweight fighter expressed unwavering confidence in his abilities, declaring he could wrestle any opponent, anywhere. Tsarukyan framed the potential matchup as an opportunity to definitively prove his wrestling credentials and superiority over Covington. His willingness to settle the dispute through competition demonstrated his conviction that his grappling skills would prevail.
The Argument Escalates
Covington Doubles Down
Covington maintained his position despite Tsarukyan's denials, invoking strong language about the certainty of their past interactions. He insisted the training sessions definitely occurred, using emphatic statements to reinforce his narrative. The former UFC competitor then introduced former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov into the discussion, claiming Danis possessed capabilities that could trouble elite-level competition. This escalation broadened the scope of their disagreement beyond personal wrestling history.
Respect Mixed With Skepticism
Despite the heated nature of their exchange, Covington expressed respect for Tsarukyan while maintaining his competing narrative. This dynamic created an interesting tension where both fighters acknowledged each other's abilities while fundamentally disagreeing about their shared history. The interaction reflected the complex nature of professional combat sports discourse, where competitive positioning sometimes obscures genuine respect between athletes.
What Happens Next
The UFC's Final Say
Both competitors expressed optimism that UFC leadership would ultimately approve the bout. Covington specifically appealed to Dana White and Hunter Campbell, suggesting that executive approval represented the final barrier to scheduling. The fighters demonstrated their commitment to making the matchup happen by publicly advocating for its approval, applying fan and media pressure toward that objective.
A High-Level Grappling Spectacle
Should the UFC greenlight the contest, it would represent a rare opportunity to witness elite wrestling competition between two UFC-contracted athletes competing in a specialized grappling promotion. Such approval could establish important precedent for future fighter participation in platforms like RAF, potentially reshaping how combat sports organizations approach contracted athlete participation in outside competitions. The matchup would showcase world-class grappling expertise at the highest level.