Colby Covington has set his sights on handing Arman Tsarukyan his first RAF loss at RAF 11. Covington took a jab at his opponent's heritage, calling the promotion Real American Freestyle rather than Real Armenian Freestyle. The bout will put Tsarukyan's perfect RAF record on the line.
Colby Covington has called out Arman Tsarukyan and made clear he intends to hand the lightweight contender his first RAF loss when the two meet at RAF 11.
Covington, 38, carries a 17-5 record into the matchup and has long been one of the most recognizable names in MMA. The American wrestler out of MMA Masters stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach and brings a relentless style to the cage, averaging 3.81 significant strikes per minute and 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes. He made his feelings about the promotion's Armenian ties plain, referring to RAF as "Real American Freestyle" rather than "Real Armenian Freestyle" in a pointed jab at Tsarukyan's heritage.
Tsarukyan enters the bout as the number-one ranked lightweight, sporting an impressive 23-3 record at just 29 years old. The Russia-born, American Top Team product stands five-foot-seven and shares Covington's 72-inch reach. His striking accuracy of 50 percent stands out, and he averages 3.85 significant strikes per minute alongside 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat on the feet and on the mat. His perfect RAF record is the central prize Covington has set his sights on.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's unbeaten RAF record carries significant promotional prestige, and a loss would mark a notable blemish on his resume at a critical stage of his career.
- Covington's high-volume wrestling style presents a direct challenge to Tsarukyan's grappling credentials, setting up a compelling clash between two elite takedown artists.
- A Covington victory would instantly thrust him into the RAF lightweight conversation despite the significant age and ranking gap between the two fighters.
