Arman Tsarukyan has set his sights on silencing Colby Covington following a future wrestling match in the RAF league. The Armenian fighter boldly predicted he will defeat Covington with a perfect 10-0 score in their upcoming grappling bout. Tsarukyan made it clear his goal is to dominate Covington completely and prove his wrestling superiority. The callout comes amid growing anticipation for potential crossover wrestling matches between high-level MMA fighters. Details about when this RAF bout might take place were not provided in the statement.
Arman Tsarukyan has called out Colby Covington ahead of a planned grappling meeting in the RAF league, boldly predicting he will shut Covington down with a perfect 10-0 score in their upcoming wrestling bout.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters the crossover grappling scene as the number-one ranked lightweight contender in the UFC, carrying an impressive 23-3-0 professional MMA record. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and has built a reputation as a well-rounded threat. In MMA competition he averages 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, while also contributing 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes — numbers that underline the wrestling ambitions he is now looking to showcase on the RAF mat.
Covington, 38, is a career-long wrestling specialist who has made grappling the foundation of everything he does inside the octagon. The American, who fights out of MMA Masters and carries a 17-5-0 record, averages 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA and lands 3.81 significant strikes per minute. Known under his "Chaos" nickname, Covington has used relentless wrestling pressure to wear down opponents throughout his career, making him a credible measuring stick for any fighter wanting to prove wrestling superiority.
Tsarukyan made clear his intent is total domination, stating he expects to win every exchange and leave no doubt about who the better wrestler is between the two. No date or location for the RAF bout has been confirmed.
Why it matters
- A 10-0 scoreline would send a direct message to the lightweight division about Tsarukyan's complete skill set ahead of a potential title run
- Covington's wrestling pedigree makes him a high-profile opponent for any grappling-based callout, raising the stakes of the matchup
- The bout adds to growing momentum around MMA fighters competing in crossover grappling formats between UFC events
