Colby Covington Targets Arman Tsarukyan Clash as Career Crossroads Looms

Colby Covington has been on a mission to provoke a fight with one of the leading lightweight fighters, Arman Tsarukyan. He indicates his ambition to keep up with the fight even though his future fighting career remains at risk.

The former interim welterweight champion has not fought within the Octagon since Dec. 2024 and had to cancel a scheduled comeback earlier this year. Having no fight on the cards at UFC 304, Covington has become more vocal in his frustrations, especially in terms of little to no opportunity, whether in or out of the promotion.

Exasperation Of Shackled Opportunities

Colby Covington has alleged that the UFC did not allow him to compete in a wrestling match in the Real American Freestyle (RAF) banner against Tsarukyan. The promotion has recently attracted several UFC fighters exploring competitive opportunities beyond mixed martial arts. Covington made his own RAF debut with a decision win over Luke Rockhold, demonstrating his credentials in another format.

Tsarukyan has been equally active in the RAF competition, where he has won over Lance Palmer and Georgio Poullas. He will once again meet with Poullas on March 28 after an altercation following their previous fight earlier this year. The increased involvement of both champions in the promotion has just escalated the desire to see them fight.

Trust Bred In Homeliness

Colby Covington also feels confident about a matchup with Tsarukyan, citing their prior training sessions together at American Top Team. He has indicated that previous meetings provided him with a clear picture of how such a competition would be. In an interview, Covington said he would love to grapple with Tsarukyan, and he is confident that his experience and skill would provide him with the advantage in a grappling-based match.

Although Tsarukyan has established the reputation of one of the most unfriendly wrestlers in the lightweight category, Colby Covington is not convinced that his own reputation would permit him to impose his own rhythm and the result of the game.

Uncertain Future In MMA

Although Colby Covington expressed his ambitions, he has a lot of uncertainty. He has no set comeback date in either MMA or wrestling, and it is likely to ask how many more years he will continue fighting. Every potential outing now means something extra at this stage of his career, particularly as there is mounting speculation that his next outing in MMA would be his final.

His recent switch toward wrestling events can be a pointer to a gradual discontinuation in the Octagon. Nevertheless, the fact that Covington has continued to call out and be willing to take on the top-level opposition demonstrates that he is not prepared to exit quietly. For now, a potential showdown with Tsarukyan, whether in wrestling or MMA, remains one of the more intriguing possibilities surrounding his next move.

Final Touch 

The fact that Colby Covington seeks a confrontation with Tsarukyan is indicative of his competitiveness and his desire to remain in the limelight while his career is uncertain. It remains to be seen whether the matchup will ever be made in wrestling or MMA. Fans across the globe are feeling enthusiastic to see their star fighters back for the bout.