UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan and former welterweight title challenger Colby Covington have agreed to meet in a wrestling match after conducting a face-off. The two fighters came to terms on the matchup, though no specific date, location, or promotion was mentioned. This represents a departure from traditional MMA competition for both athletes. The announcement generated discussion among fans about who would be favored in a pure wrestling contest. Further details about the wrestling match remain limited at this time.
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan and former welterweight title challenger Colby Covington have agreed to compete against each other in a wrestling match, the two fighters confirmed following a face-off. No date, location, or promoting organization has been announced for the contest.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters the matchup as the number-one ranked lightweight in the UFC, carrying a record of 23-3-0. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach. He is a well-rounded threat on the feet, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent striking accuracy clip, while also posting 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes inside the cage.
Covington, nicknamed "Chaos," is a 38-year-old American out of MMA Masters with a professional record of 17-5-0. The former welterweight title challenger built his reputation largely on elite wrestling and relentless pressure, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes across his MMA career. He stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the UFC's top-ranked lightweight, so any high-profile activity outside the cage draws attention to the 155-pound division.
- Both fighters share near-identical reach at 72 inches, making their size difference — Covington holds a four-inch height advantage — a notable physical variable in a pure wrestling format.
- Covington's MMA identity is built on wrestling volume, while Tsarukyan's grappling credentials at American Top Team give the matchup genuine competitive intrigue.
- No sanctioning body, ruleset, or timeline has been confirmed, leaving the scope of the event unclear.
