Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington have agreed to compete in a wrestling match following a face-off between the two fighters. The confrontation and subsequent agreement occurred after Tsarukyan's recent wrestling performance. Both fighters engaged in a staredown before verbally committing to the matchup. The bout will take place under wrestling rules rather than MMA regulations. No specific date or event has been announced for this wrestling contest, though both competitors have confirmed their participation.
Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington have agreed to settle their rivalry on the mat, committing to a wrestling match after the two fighters squared off and exchanged verbal challenges following a recent face-off. The bout will be contested under wrestling rules rather than MMA regulations, though no date or venue has been announced.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters the agreement as the number-one ranked lightweight contender with a professional MMA record of 23-3-0. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach. His recent wrestling performance apparently served as the catalyst for the challenge, and his MMA numbers back up his grappling credentials — he averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 50 percent.
Covington, 38, is a former interim UFC welterweight champion carrying a 17-5-0 record and a well-established reputation as one of MMA's premier wrestlers. The American, who competes out of MMA Masters, stands five-foot-eleven with a matching 72-inch reach. He averages 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition, a rate that reflects the Division I wrestling background he has carried throughout his career.
Why it matters
- Covington's wrestling pedigree makes this a legitimate stylistic test for Tsarukyan ahead of any future lightweight title pursuit
- The matchup crosses weight classes, adding an unusual dimension to the competition
- A high-profile wrestling contest between two fighters of this caliber could draw significant attention to the sport outside of the traditional MMA format
- No sanctioning body or promotional involvement has been confirmed, leaving the structure of the event still unclear
