Arman Tsarukyan is making waves in the wrestling world, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. After a thrilling victory over Keelon Jimison, known as “Gugzy,” at the Real American Freestyle (RAF) event in Arlington, Texas, Tsarukyan is gearing up for an exciting showdown against former UFC interim champion Colby Covington on July 18 at RAF 11.
The lightweight contender, who is currently ranked number one in the UFC, showcased his skills in his fifth match with RAF, and he’s already eyeing his next challenge. Following his recent win, Tsarukyan expressed his eagerness to face Covington, a fighter he believes is overrated in the wrestling department.
“Colby Covington has a big name and claims to be the best MMA wrestler, but I have a different opinion,” Tsarukyan stated in a post-match interview. He also mentioned another notable name on his radar: Tony Ferguson, a fighter he admires greatly. “Ferguson is a legend who has been around since I started my UFC journey. His popularity in Russia and Armenia is immense, and it would be great to compete against him too.”
It’s been a while since Tsarukyan last stepped into the MMA octagon, with his last fight against Dan Hooker in November. The fighter has been patiently waiting for the lightweight title picture to unfold, particularly following the interim title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett earlier this year. Now, he’s looking ahead to Gaethje’s upcoming unification match against champion Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom Fights 250 in June.
For Tsarukyan, participating in RAF has allowed him to stay active and earn income while waiting for his next big MMA opportunity. “As a UFC fighter, you can only compete a couple of times a year. If it weren’t for RAF, I’d just be training without any crowd or financial reward,” he explained. “This league has been a fantastic platform for wrestlers and MMA fighters to gain experience and enjoy the sport.”
With his sights set on Covington and a desire to prove he’s the best, Tsarukyan’s journey is just beginning. What will happen when these two wrestlers finally clash in the ring?
