Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington held a staredown and agreed to meet in an upcoming wrestling match. The two fighters, both known for their wrestling credentials, have committed to a grappling contest outside of MMA. No date or venue has been announced for the proposed wrestling bout. This agreement follows recent wrestling appearances by other UFC fighters in similar formats.
Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington locked eyes in a staredown and agreed to compete against each other in a wrestling match, a contest set to take place outside of MMA competition. No date or venue has been confirmed for the proposed bout.
Tsarukyan, known by his nickname "Ahalkalakets," carries a record of 23 wins and 3 losses and currently sits as the number-one ranked lightweight contender. The 29-year-old Russian trains out of American Top Team and has built his reputation as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate and averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, underscoring the grappling threat he would bring to any wrestling format.
Covington, nicknamed "Chaos," is a 38-year-old American fighter out of MMA Masters with a professional record of 17-5-0. The former welterweight title contender stands five-foot-eleven and shares that same 72-inch reach with Tsarukyan. His wrestling-heavy style has long been a defining feature of his game, evidenced by an average of 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his UFC career. He lands 3.81 significant strikes per minute as well, though it is his relentless pressure and grappling volume that have made him a marquee name in the sport.
Why it matters
- Both fighters bring genuine wrestling credentials, making this a legitimate athletic contest rather than a novelty exhibition
- Tsarukyan is the number-one ranked lightweight, so his activity outside the cage keeps his name prominent amid divisional developments
- The agreement follows a broader trend of UFC fighters competing in wrestling formats, adding further visibility to the sport's crossover appeal
- No official details have been announced, leaving the timeline of this match uncertain
