Tsarukyan meets Covington in inaugural RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship in Milwaukee

Real American Freestyle has unveiled the RAF Crossover Championship, a new title division built exclusively for high-profile combat sports athletes crossing over into freestyle wrestling, with Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington set to contest the inaugural cruiserweight bout at RAF 11 in Milwaukee on July 18.

The promotion announced the championship via its official X account, framing it as a vehicle for marquee matchups between MMA talent and the freestyle wrestling circuit. “A new championship arrives at RAF,” the post read. “Introducing the RAF Crossover Championship. Created exclusively for crossover wrestlers from across the world of combat sports. The first chapter begins in Milwaukee with Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington. The inaugural Cruiserweight Crossover Championship.”

Tsarukyan arrives at the bout in commanding form, carrying a perfect 6-0 record under the RAF banner. The UFC lightweight contender most recently dominated Kuat Khamitov at RAF Georgia, cementing his standing as one of the promotion’s most consistent performers in the crossover format.

Covington brings his own unbeaten RAF record to Milwaukee, having gone 3-0 since joining the circuit. The former interim UFC welterweight champion draws on a decorated amateur wrestling background that includes an NJCAA national championship and NCAA Division I All-American honours. His most recent RAF outing came at RAF 9, where he edged Chris Weidman.

The RAF Crossover Championship represents a structural expansion for the promotion, which has steadily built its roster of MMA names competing in freestyle wrestling bouts. By formalising a championship tier for crossover athletes, RAF is signalling an intent to give its marquee matchups greater competitive stakes beyond individual event records.