Tsarukyan, Covington Win Freestyle Matches, Fuel Rivalry

Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington both secured victories at Real American Freestyle 7 on Saturday in Tampa, Florida, intensifying a personal rivalry that could lead to a wrestling showdown outside the UFC octagon. The event highlighted the fighters' growing involvement in freestyle wrestling amid uncertainties in their UFC careers.

Tsarukyan, the top-ranked UFC lightweight contender, defeated Georgio Poullas by a 9-3 decision in the main event rematch. The win resolved a feud that began with a post-match brawl after their February encounter. Tsarukyan controlled the bout with a late four-point throw, earning mutual respect from Poullas afterward. Covington, a former UFC interim welterweight champion, followed with a dominant technical fall over Dillon Danis at 14-4 in a 200-pound catchweight match, using chain attacks and top control to build an insurmountable lead.

Post-event tension boiled over as Tsarukyan called out Covington, his former training partner at American Top Team. "There's one bulls guy," Tsarukyan said in a ringside interview. "Colby Covington, stop trash talking, let me beat your a." Covington, who has claimed he dominated Tsarukyan in sparring sessions,...