Colby Covington Edges Arman Tsarukyan 5-2 to Claim RAF Crossover Title
Colby Covington defeated Arman Tsarukyan by a 5-2 score in the main event of RAF 11, capturing the inaugural Cruiserweight Crossover title on Saturday night in Milwaukee. The result ended Tsarukyan’s perfect run in the Real American Freestyle promotion and marked a notable win for the former UFC interim champion in pure wrestling.
Covington, 38, entered as a clear underdog against the 29-year-old Armenian star. Representing MMA Masters and listed from Clovis, California, Covington used his collegiate wrestling background to control key moments. Tsarukyan, competing out of American Top Team and hailing from Akhalkalaki, Georgia, came in undefeated in RAF competition and looking to add the new crossover belt to his résumé.
The scorecard showed Covington building an early advantage before holding off a late push. He took the first period 3-0. The second period finished even at 2-2. Tsarukyan claimed the third period 1-0, yet the deficit proved too large. Both men recorded one takedown in the three-period match.
This matchup carried extra intrigue because it pitted a current UFC contender against a retired veteran who had shifted focus to the freestyle format. Tsarukyan had rolled through previous RAF opponents and entered as the face of the promotion’s crossover push. Covington, after stepping away from MMA earlier in the year, had already secured three wins under RAF rules and treated the bout as a chance to prove his wrestling still held up at the highest level.
The opening period set the tone. Covington found scoring chances while Tsarukyan absorbed a passivity warning and struggled to generate offense. That early cushion allowed Covington to wrestle more defensively in the middle period, trading points but never relinquishing the lead. By the final period Tsarukyan pressed forward with longer-range shots, yet Covington’s sprawls and positioning kept the Armenian from closing the gap.
After the final whistle, Covington spoke respectfully about his opponent. “Arman’s going to be lightweight champ, I’m sure of it,” he said. “It was an honor to compete with Arman tonight.” The comments reflected the competitive but largely professional tone that defined the buildup. Covington also pointed to specific elements of Tsarukyan’s game that impressed him, noting the quality of the Armenian’s tie-ups, level changes, and ability to build attacks from the legs.
Covington then turned toward the future. He called out several names he wants to face while defending the new title, listing Khamzat Chimaev, Belal Muhammad, and Tyron Woodley among possible opponents. The remarks signaled that Covington intends to remain active in the RAF ranks rather than treating the win as a one-off appearance.
The result carries implications for both men. For Tsarukyan, the first loss in RAF competition removes the aura of invincibility he had built across seven previous bouts. He remains a top contender in the UFC lightweight division, and the setback on the mats is unlikely to alter his ranking or title trajectory. Still, the performance offered a public reminder that even elite athletes can be slowed by a specialist with deep wrestling roots and strong defensive instincts.
For Covington, the victory validates his post-MMA path. At 38 he continues to compete at a high level in a format that rewards the skills that first made him a contender. Capturing the inaugural crossover title gives him a tangible accomplishment and a platform to stay relevant in combat sports conversations. His willingness to defend the belt against a range of challengers suggests the promotion may schedule additional high-profile matches around him in the coming months.
RAF continues to carve out space as a destination for established MMA names seeking pure wrestling tests. The promotion’s scoring system, which emphasizes takedowns, control, and activity across timed periods, creates a different competitive environment from the UFC cage. Saturday’s main event illustrated both the appeal and the difficulty of that shift. Tsarukyan’s power and athleticism were evident, yet Covington’s experience and tactical discipline decided the outcome.
Looking ahead, Covington’s callouts set up potential future cards. Whether Chimaev, Muhammad, or another name answers remains to be seen, but the former interim champion has made clear he is open for business. Tsarukyan will likely return his focus to the UFC lightweight picture, where his ranking and résumé still position him near the top of the division. The two may never share a cage, yet their wrestling match provided a definitive answer on the mats and gave RAF its first crossover champion.
