A New Chapter in Wrestling
Following his successful defense of the inaugural RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title against Belal Muhammad at RAF 13 in Miami, Colby Covington has officially outlined his next career ambitions. The former UFC welterweight contender is prioritizing a wrestling trilogy with longtime rival Kamaru Usman, marking a significant shift in his professional focus toward the Real American Freestyle (RAF) circuit.
Covington, who has expressed frustration with the pace of UFC fight negotiations, claims that his tenure in RAF has provided him with a level of activity and professional momentum that was missing in his recent years within the Octagon. Since his last UFC appearance in December 2024, Covington has found consistent high-profile opportunities on the mat, including a notable victory over Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 11.
The Case for the Trilogy
Speaking after his victory at RAF 13, as reported by the Times of India, Covington framed the proposed matchup with Usman as a chance to address “unfinished business.” The two fighters previously met twice under the UFC banner, with Usman winning both encounters—first via a fifth-round TKO at UFC 245 in 2019 and later by unanimous decision at UFC 268 in 2021.
While Covington continues to dispute the outcomes of those previous meetings, he sees the RAF ruleset as an ideal environment to settle the rivalry. “That trilogy is a huge matchup. So, that’s probably the top of the list,” Covington stated.
Weight Classes and Future Rivals
While Usman remains the primary target, Covington is also evaluating other opponents. Khamzat Chimaev has emerged as a potential challenger, following reports of an informal discussion about a match in Abu Dhabi. However, Covington has set strict conditions for that bout, specifically regarding weight.
According to MMASucka, Covington has ruled out moving up to the 200-pound range, insisting that any match against Chimaev must take place at 185 pounds. He cited concerns regarding professionalism and weight management as reasons for his rigid stance. Beyond Usman and Chimaev, Covington’s “hit list” includes Gilbert Burns, Michael Chandler, and Sean Brady, underscoring his intent to maintain an active schedule as a marquee figure in the wrestling promotion.