It finally happened. Three-time former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight title challenger Colby Covington scored a big win tonight, knocking No. 2-ranked UFC Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan from the unbeaten ranks in RAF’s main event. Covington defeated Tsarukyan by points in the headliner of RAF 11, which went down tonight (Sat., July 18, 2026) inside UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Chaos” won the match by being defensively sound, staying disciplined and using Tsarukyan’s aggression against him. Covington got on the board first after being awarded a point from the RAF shot clock, with Tsarukyan deemed too passive after failing to score a takedown within 30 seconds. Late in the opening round, Tsarukyan shot for a takedown, but Covington reversed him and picked up two more points. Round 2 was Tsarukyan’s best frame. The Armenian finally got on the board after scoring a massive takedown, lifting Covington off his feet while hunting for a slam. Covington attempted one of his only shots of the match later in the round, but Tsarukyan stuffed it. However, the round ended much like the first as Tsarukyan shot a lazy takedown late, and Covington once again reversed him for two points. That put Tsarukyan in a hole heading into the third and final round. Down 5-2, Tsarukyan was desperate and visibly exhausted. He shot three times in the final frame, but Covington stuffed every attempt and refused to give him any clean scoring opportunities. Tsarukyan was eventually awarded a point from the shot clock, but it was too little, too late. Covington won the highly anticipated match 5-3 and captured the inaugural RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title. Watch some highlights below: Colby Covington defeats No. 2 UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan, 5-3, in the RAF 11 main event. pic.twitter.com/HUtglg14hP — Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) July 19, 2026 View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram With the win, Covington remains undefeated under the RAF banner. During his post-match interview, “Chaos” called out Tyron Woodley, Belal Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev. Noticeably, he did not mention Bo Nickal. As for Tsarukyan, his magical undefeated RAF run is finally over. But don’t worry, he will probably still end up on RAF 12 because somehow, Arman Tsarukyan is on every RAF card. For more RAF 11 results, highlights, and coverage click HERE.
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July 19, 2026 at 3:59 AM
Highlights! Colby Covington upsets Arman Tsarukyan, hands him first RAF loss | RAF 11
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