Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington booked for RAF on July 18

The UFC has officially booked Arman Tsarukyan against Colby Covington for RAF10 on July 18, a cross-divisional matchup that pits the top-ranked lightweight contender against one of welterweight's most recognizable figures.

Tsarukyan enters the bout as the number-one ranked lightweight in the world, carrying a 23-3 record at just 29 years old. The Russian product of American Top Team has built a reputation as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport, landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 50 percent accuracy while also threatening opponents on the mat with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he brings relentless pressure from the orthodox stance.

Covington, 38, is a former interim welterweight champion and long-standing fixture near the top of the 170-pound division. Fighting out of MMA Masters, the American holds a 17-5 record and remains one of the most prolific wrestlers in the sport, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes. He lands 3.81 significant strikes per minute and carries a 72-inch reach of his own at five-foot-eleven.

Why it matters

• Tsarukyan is the number-one lightweight contender and a win here would cement his status as the division's most active elite
• Covington moves down — or Tsarukyan moves up — creating a rare cross-divisional clash with major implications for both weight classes
• Both fighters are high-volume wrestlers and strikers, setting up a potential war of attrition with elite grappling exchanges throughout
• A strong performance from either man reshapes the contender landscape heading into the second half of 2026