This is the live blog for Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington, the main event wrestling match for Saturday’s RAF 11 card in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
One of the top MMA fighters in the world, Tsarukyan has become the face of RAF in 2026, competing in seven events for the promotion already. Though he doesn’t hail from a traditional wrestling background, Tsarukyan has proven himself more than capable on the mats, going a perfect 7-0 in RAF, which has earned him this opportunity for the RAF’s inaugural Crossover title, against Covington.
A former Division 1 All-American wrestler and JUCO national champion, Covington leveraged his wrestling chops to a successful MMA career in the UFC, winning an interim title and fighting for the undisputed championship several times. “Chaos” retired from the sport earlier this year so he could focus his energy on RAF, and quickly racked up three wins in the promotion, putting him in this title match.
Check out the live blog for Tsarukyan vs. Covington below.
I can’t get over this Ben Askren match but we have Arman and Colby about to hate-wrestle. Colby is walking out first. He looks like he’s got a chip on his shoulder. Surely Arman will be too small. But we’ve seen crazier things. Here comes Arman Tsarukyan. Got the cheese head for the Milwaukee faithful. No boos for Arman despite not being an American. Shows how liked he is.
We’re getting the wrestlers announced. Three periods. Crossover belt. You know the drill.
Colby starts out looking for collar ties and gets a headlock. Arman gets on the front head lock and really muscles clubby down. Colby tries to sucker drag Arman out but Arman stays on the head. Ref breaks it out and Arman is on the shot clock. Arman fighting for double under here as well. Colby is in another head lock. Arman unable to score and goes down a point. This might be the first time he’s down in RAF? Arman dives on a leg and almost gets a single but Colby goes through for two with some tremendous defense.
Colby ends the period up 3-0.
Colby with a comfortable lead and grabs double unders. Arman is really struggling with the size of Colby. Arman shoots and lifts Colby looking for a Dake bomb but Covington handles well and Arman is back in this, 3-2. Covington shoots on a single and Arman tries to limp leg out. Gator roll from Covington and no score. Fun exchange there. A bad shot for Arman and Colby Covington is able to score again before the period is over. This third round is gonna slap.
Arman looks exhausted in his corner. Period three begins and Covington commands the center again. Arman is really shooting from too far out now in desperation. Colby sprawls and goes to a front headlock to slow down the second layer of Arman’s wrestling. Arman fakes a level change and shoot, again, Colby is wise to it. Covington put on the shot clock and didn’t score. 5-3. Arman shoots deep on Covington but Colby answers with a catlike sprawl. Arman shoots as soon as the ref blows the whistle to restart. Colby waits and lets the clock expire. Arman’s side-quest undefeated streak is over.
Colby Covington defeats Arman Tsarukyan 5-3, wins the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title.
We’ve not had any Arman Tsarukyan antics yet. Chael is talking with Covington first, of course. “Arman’s going to be lightweight champ, I’m sure of it. It was an honor to compete with Arman tonight.” Really amicable of Covington. “His tie ups, fades, getting to the legs and be able to build up,” Covington continues. “Bring on Chimaev, bring over that cross-eyed dork Belal, bring on Woodley, they can all get it.” Covington wants to defend his title.
No interview from Arman Tsarukyan.
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