Colby Covington defeated Chris Weidman 5-4 at RAF 9. Following the victory, Covington and Arman Tsarukyan agreed to face each other on July 18 in Milwaukee at RAF 11.
Colby Covington extended his winning ways at RAF 9 on May 31, 2026, edging Chris Weidman by a narrow 5-4 decision. In the aftermath, Covington agreed to meet Arman Tsarukyan on July 18 in Milwaukee at RAF 11.
Covington, known as "Chaos," improves to 17-5-0 with the victory. The 38-year-old American, who trains out of MMA Masters, stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach. He is one of the sport's most relentless volume fighters, averaging 3.81 significant strikes per minute and 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a constant pressure threat in any fight.
Weidman, the 42-year-old "All-American" from the Serra-Longo Fight Team, falls to 16-8-0. Standing six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach, the veteran brings genuine danger to every outing, averaging 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 3.11 significant strikes per minute. The close scoreline reflects how competitive the bout remained throughout.
Tsarukyan, who now awaits Covington in Milwaukee, carries a 23-3-0 record and holds the number-one ranking in the lightweight division. The 29-year-old Russian, representing American Top Team, is a well-rounded threat who averages 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a sharp 50 percent accuracy rate, while also contributing 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Covington's win earns him a high-profile matchup against the top-ranked lightweight contender Tsarukyan just weeks later
- The 5-4 scoreline signals Weidman pushed Covington hard, underlining the veteran's continued competitiveness at 42
- A Covington-Tsarukyan clash blends two high-volume grapplers with strong striking output, setting up a tactically rich contest at RAF 11
