RAF 11 live blog: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington
Covington Claims Inaugural Crossover Title
In the main event of RAF 11 held at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Colby Covington defeated Arman Tsarukyan with a score of 5-3 to secure the inaugural RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title. The wrestling match featured three periods, with Covington demonstrating strong defensive skills and strategic control throughout.
Covington, a former Division 1 All-American wrestler and JUCO national champion, entered the match with a background that includes a successful MMA career in the UFC, where he won an interim title and competed for the undisputed championship multiple times. He retired from MMA earlier this year to focus on RAF, quickly achieving three wins that led to this title opportunity.
Tsarukyan, recognized as a top MMA fighter and a prominent figure in RAF in 2026, had competed in seven events for the promotion prior to this match. Despite not having a traditional wrestling background, he maintained a perfect 7-0 record in RAF before facing Covington.
Match Progression and Key Moments
The first period saw Covington initiate with collar ties and a headlock. Tsarukyan responded by muscling Covington down with a front headlock. After a break by the referee, Tsarukyan faced a shot clock. Covington managed to score, ending the first period with a 3-0 lead.
In the second period, Covington maintained his lead. Tsarukyan attempted a shot and lift, bringing the score to 3-2. Covington then secured another score before the period concluded, extending his lead to 5-2.
The third period began with Covington controlling the center. Tsarukyan made several attempts to score from a distance, but Covington’s defensive prowess, including effective sprawls and front headlocks, prevented Tsarukyan from gaining significant ground. Covington was put on the shot clock but did not score, making it 5-3. Tsarukyan’s final deep shot was met with a quick sprawl from Covington, who then allowed the clock to expire, sealing his victory.
Post-Match Reactions and Other Bouts
Following his victory, Covington expressed respect for Tsarukyan, stating it was an honour to compete with him and acknowledging Tsarukyan’s potential to become a lightweight champion. Covington also indicated his readiness to defend his newly acquired title against other competitors.
The RAF 11 event also featured several other matches. In the co-main event, Belal Muhammad defeated former UFC fighter Ben Askren via points with a score of 6-3. Other notable results included Lucia Yepez defeating Felicity Taylor via Tech Fall (10-0) in Round 2 for the Strawweight Championship, and Arsen Harutyunyan defeating Ben Davino via points (6-5) for the Bantamweight Championship.
Additionally, Frankie Edgar defeated Clay Guida via points (9-1), and Trent Hidlay secured a victory over Magomedkhan Magomedov via Tech Fall (10-0) in Round 3. The event, which commenced at 8 p.m. ET, was streamed live.
RAF 11 featured a full card of wrestling action, including Aeoden Sinclair vs. Magomed Ramazanov, with Ramazanov winning 6-3, and Michael Caliendo defeating Mirzo Khayitov 9-2. Skylar Grote faced Adeline Gray, with Gray winning 5-2. Patrick Downey was defeated by Zac Braunagel via Tech Fall (12-2) in Round 3, and Anthony Cassioppi won against Mostafa Elders 6-2. The event also saw Keegan O’Toole defeat Christopher Minto 14-9.
Source: mmafighting.com
