MILWAUKEE — Colby Covington defeated Arman Tsarukyan by technical fall in the third round at RAF 11 on Saturday night. The upset at UWM Panther Arena reshapes the trajectory of both wrestlers’ careers.
Covington, a former UFC interim welterweight champion, returned to his wrestling roots. Tsarukyan, a top UFC lightweight contender, entered as the favorite. The result was not what oddsmakers predicted.
Ben Askren delivered an emotional farewell in the same event. The Wisconsin native and former UFC fighter competed for the first time after a serious illness. The crowd in Milwaukee gave him a standing ovation.
Main Event: Tsarukyan vs. Covington – Round-by-Round Analysis
The bout started cautiously. Both fighters tested each other’s stance and grip. No clear advantage emerged in the first two minutes.
Round 1: Tsarukyan pressed forward with his signature pressure. Covington circled, avoiding exchanges. The period ended 0-0. Neither man scored.
Round 2: Covington changed tactics. He shot for a single-leg takedown, converted it into a clinch, and worked for a go-behind. Tsarukyan scrambled but could not escape. Covington scored two takedowns in this round. The period ended 4-1 in Covington’s favor.
Round 3: Covington secured another takedown within 30 seconds. He transitioned to a lace, exposing Tsarukyan’s back. The referee stopped the match at 1:23 of the third period. Technical fall. Covington won 10-1 on aggregate.
Tsarukyan left the mat immediately. He did not comment post-fight. Covington raised his arms and saluted the crowd.
Ben Askren’s Emotional Farewell: Comeback After Illness
Askren, 42, had not competed in over two years. He was hospitalized earlier this year with a bacterial infection that nearly ended his career. He dropped 15 pounds during treatment.
He trained for eight weeks at the Wisconsin Wrestling Club in Madison. His opponent was unranked college wrestler Mason Phillips. Askren won by technical fall, 12-2, in the second period.
The match was a formality. The real moment came after. Askren removed his singlet, walked to the center of the mat, and waved to the crowd. The UWM Panther Arena erupted. He said, “This is it. I’m done. Thank you, Milwaukee.”
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Askren had considered retiring in 2024. He postponed his decision to compete one more time in his hometown.
Full RAF 11 Fight Card Results
| Bout | Weight Class | Winner | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event | 175 lbs | Colby Covington | Technical Fall (10-1) | 3 |
| Co-Main | 184 lbs | Ben Askren | Technical Fall (12-2) | 2 |
| Undercard | 165 lbs | Keegan O’Toole | Decision (8-4) | 3 |
| Undercard | 157 lbs | Ethan Miller | Pin (1:45) | 1 |
| Undercard | 197 lbs | Marcus Coleman | Technical Fall (10-0) | 2 |
Wisconsin native Keegan O’Toole, a former NCAA champion at Missouri, won his match 8-4. The preliminary card featured four other athletes from the Midwest.
Implications for Tsarukyan, Covington, and RAF
Covington, 38, now holds a win over a top-5 UFC lightweight. His next move is unclear. He could return to the UFC or remain in RAF for a title shot. RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein confirmed post-event that Covington would be offered a contract for a championship match.
Tsarukyan, 29, suffers his first loss in professional wrestling. He had won four straight RAF bouts before Saturday. His team said he will take a break before deciding his next step.
RAF 11 was the promotion’s largest event to date. The UWM Panther Arena sold 4,200 tickets. Bronstein told MMA Fighting the company plans two more events in 2026, with one likely in the Midwest.
How to Watch RAF 11 Replay and Future Events
The full event replay is available on RAF’s official website and the promotion’s YouTube channel. Tickets for future RAF events are sold via the RAF website and Ticketmaster.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was the result of the Tsarukyan vs Covington match at RAF 11?
- A: Colby Covington defeated Arman Tsarukyan by technical fall in the third round, winning 10-1 on aggregate.
- Q: How did the Tsarukyan vs Covington fight unfold round by round?
- A: Round 1 ended 0-0 with both fighters cautious. In Round 2, Covington scored two takedowns to lead 4-1. In Round 3, Covington secured a takedown and transitioned to a lace, forcing a technical fall at 1:23.
- Q: What other notable event happened at RAF 11?
- A: Ben Askren delivered an emotional farewell in the same event, competing for the first time after a serious illness and receiving a standing ovation from the Milwaukee crowd.
Extended Reading
For detailed round-by-round updates and the official results from Yahoo Sports, visit the original live results page. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s feature on Ben Askren’s comeback provides additional local context. MMA Fighting’s full coverage of RAF 11 includes post-fight interviews and analysis.