Tsarukyan and Covington set for RAF 11 wrestling match after weekend wins

Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington are set to meet on the wrestling mats in the main event of RAF 11, with the bout confirmed after both men secured wins this past Saturday. The matchup represents a significant booking for the rapidly growing Real American Fighting promotion and raises the profile of grappling-based combat sports events more broadly.

The announcement was the centrepiece of a packed weekend in combat sports. RAF 09 also took place, with Merab Dvalishvili and Gable Steveson both picking up victories in their promotional debuts — results that underline RAF’s ability to attract high-profile names from across the combat sports spectrum.

Elsewhere, RAF confirmed that Ben Askren will return to action on July 18, facing Belal Muhammad. Askren, a former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion, has been away from competition, and the booking against Muhammad — one of the most accomplished welterweights currently active — signals an ambitious return slate for the promotion.

In MMA, UFC Macau delivered a notable main event result as Song Yadong submitted former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo to claim the headline victory. The finish marked a significant statement win for Yadong, who has steadily built his reputation inside the octagon.

Muhammad, meanwhile, is set to headline Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card at the APEX against Gabriel Bonfim, giving the welterweight a quick turnaround and another high-stakes assignment in a busy stretch of competition.