Colby Covington defeated Chris Weidman by a score of 5-4. RAF is looking to organize a bout between Covington and promotion headliner Arman Tsarukyan for July 18 at RAF 11.
Colby Covington picked up a victory over Chris Weidman by a score of 5-4 at a recent RAF event, and the promotion is already eyeing a high-profile follow-up for the former welterweight title contender.
Covington, 38, carries a professional record of 17-5 and competes out of MMA Masters. Known as "Chaos," the five-foot-eleven Orthodox fighter brings relentless pressure and a strong grappling base to every outing, averaging 3.81 significant strikes per minute and 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. The Weidman win adds another notable name to a resume that has long placed him among the sport's elite.
Weidman, 42, entered the contest at 16-7 and drops to 16-8 with the defeat. The former middleweight champion, who stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach, remains a credible opponent by any measure, averaging 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes and 3.11 significant strikes landed per minute. The Serra-Longo Fight Team product has faced elite competition throughout his career, and this outing was no different.
Why it matters
- RAF is targeting a Covington vs. Tsarukyan matchup for July 18 at RAF 11, which would represent a significant step up in competition for Covington.
- Arman Tsarukyan, ranked number one in the lightweight division, holds a 23-3 record and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport at 29 years old. He averages 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, making him a well-rounded threat.
- A cross-divisional or catchweight matchup between a welterweight stalwart in Covington and the lightweight number-one contender Tsarukyan would carry real promotional weight and test both men in different ways.
