Colby Covington has never been one to shy away from confrontation, but this time, the former UFC interim welterweight champion says his issue with Arman Tsarukyan goes beyond trash talk.
Covington is set to face Tsarukyan in the main event of RAF 11 on July 18 in Milwaukee, a matchup he has been pushing for ever since the lightweight contender began making waves in the wrestling promotion.
Fresh off a hard-fought win over former UFC champion Chris Weidman at RAF 09, Colby Covington explained why he is eager to share the mat with Tsarukyan.
“He’s just a fiery young man,” Covington said. “I just don’t like his antics. Throwing Urijah Faber, a legend of the sport, off the stage. Brawling with guys on the wrestling mat. That’s not professional. That’s not how we act in the wrestling world. That’s not the culture of wrestling.”
According to Covington, Tsarukyan’s behavior has crossed a line, and he believes it is time for someone to hold him accountable.
“I want to set him straight. I want to teach him a lesson,” Covington said. “You don’t come to American soil and disrespect us Americans. Now he’s going to have to face one of the greatest Americans that there is in the wrestling world. I plan on dunking him and giving him a wedgie like the little nerd that he is.”
The rivalry has been building for months. During RAF 09, the two fighters came face-to-face, adding more fuel to an already heated matchup.
Tsarukyan has become one of RAF’s biggest stars, but not without controversy. His first match against Georgio Poullas ended in chaos after a punch sparked a massive brawl on stage. He also came under scrutiny after a takedown attempt sent UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber tumbling off the stage during their RAF 08 meeting.
Despite the criticism, Tsarukyan has remained dominant under the RAF banner. He owns wins over Lance Palmer, Georgio Poullas twice, Faber, and Keelon “Mugzy” Jimison.
Meanwhile, Colby Covington has built an impressive resume of his own in the promotion, picking up victories over Luke Rockhold, Dillon Danis, and most recently Chris Weidman.
The July 18 clash now gives both men an opportunity to settle their differences on the mat. For Covington, however, the match is about more than adding another win to his record.
“I want to teach him a lesson,” Covington reiterated.
With tensions already running high, RAF 11 could deliver one of the most personal matchups the promotion has staged to date.
