Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington are headed for a high-profile clash, as the two former UFC contenders have been booked to headline Real American Freestyle 11. The event takes place on July 18, 2026, inside Milwaukee’s UWM Panther Arena.
The blockbuster matchup was unveiled just moments after Covington added another notable victory to his résumé, defeating former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman in the co-main event of RAF 09.
With that win secured, Covington now turns his attention to Tsarukyan in what promises to be one of the promotion’s biggest attractions to date.
Tsarukyan Continues Dominance in RAF
Tsarukyan remains one of the most active names in the RAF circuit. The No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight added another dominant performance to his resume, improving to 5-0 in the promotion. He overwhelmed Mugzy and secured a technical fall in the opening round.
The Armenian standout has also stayed busy outside of the Covington announcement. He is already scheduled to compete again before July, with a matchup against Tony Ferguson set for June 13 at RAF 10.
Even with his success on the wrestling mat, Tsarukyan continues to push for another UFC opportunity. He is likely the next for the lightweight title, set to face the winner of Justin Geatje and Ilia Topuria. Until then, RAF seems to have become his primary stage.
After his win, he wasted no time calling out controversial MMA star Colby Covington.
Covington Defeats Weidman, Calls Out “Spoiled Brat” Arman and “Jezebel” Nina Drama
Former UFC title challenger recently announced his retirement from MMA competition, citing a desire to return to his roots in wrestling. He has also suggested that roster restrictions in the UFC played a role in his decision to step away.
Since joining RAF, Covington has stayed unbeaten. He holds a 3-0 record with wins over Luke Rockhold, Dillon Danis, and now Chris Weidman at RAF 09. He defeated Chris Weidman 5-4, though most spectators believed his margin should have been much higher.
After the win, Covington came with a hilarious callout of Arman and influencer Nina Drama, who have frequently been seen together. He called Nina a “Jezebel”
RAF Schedule Builds Toward a Major Summer
Before Tsarukyan and Covington meet, RAF 10 is set to take place in St. Louis. That card will be headlined by Khamzat Chimaev against Dillon Danis, adding more attention to the promotion’s expanding lineup.
By the time RAF 11 arrives, both Tsarukyan and Covington will be carrying strong momentum into a matchup that blends elite UFC pedigree with a freestyle wrestling spotlight that has quickly gained traction.