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RAF 11 live blog: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington

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RAF 11 live blog: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington

This is the live blog for Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington, the main event wrestling match for Saturday's RAF 11 card in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

One of the top MMA fighters in the world, Tsarukyan has become the face of RAF in 2026, competing in seven events for the promotion already. Though he doesn't hail from a traditional wrestling background, Tsarukyan has proven himself more than capable on the mats, going a perfect 7-0 in RAF, which has earned him this opportunity for the RAF's inaugural Crossover title, against Covington.

A former Division 1 All-American wrestler and JUCO national champion, Covington leveraged his wrestling chops to a successful MMA career in the UFC, winning an interim title and fighting for the undisputed championship several times. “Chaos†retired from the sport earlier this year so he could focus his energy on RAF, and quickly racked up three wins in the promotion, putting him in this title match.

Check out the live blog for Tsarukyan vs. Covington below.

I can't get over this Ben Askren match but we have Arman and Colby about to hate-wrestle. Colby is walking out first. He looks like he's got a chip on his shoulder. Surely Arman will be too small. But we've seen crazier things. Here comes Arman Tsarukyan. Got the cheese head for the Milwaukee faithful. No boos for Arman despite not being an American. Shows how liked he is.

We're getting the wrestlers announced. Three periods. Crossover belt. You know the drill.

Colby starts out looking for collar ties and gets a headlock. Arman gets on the front head lock and really muscles clubby down. Colby tries to sucker drag Arman out but Arman stays on the head. Ref breaks it out and Arman is on the shot clock. Arman fighting for double under here as well. Colby is in another head lock. Arman unable to score and goes down a point. This might be the first time he's down in RAF? Arman dives on a leg and almost gets a single but Colby goes through for two with some tremendous defense.

Colby ends the period up 3-0.

Colby with a comfortable lead and grabs double unders. Arman is really struggling with the size of Colby. Arman shoots and lifts Colby looking for a Dake bomb but Covington handles well and Arman is back in this, 3-2. Covington shoots on a single and Arman tries to limp leg out. Gator roll from Covington and no score. Fun exchange there. A bad shot for Arman and Colby Covington is able to score again before the period is over. This third round is gonna slap.

Arman looks exhausted in his corner. Period three begins and Covington commands the center again. Arman is really shooting from too far out now in desperation. Colby sprawls and goes to a front headlock to slow down the second layer of Arman's wrestling. Arman fakes a level change and shoot, again, Colby is wise to it. Covington put on the shot clock and didn't score. 5-3. Arman shoots deep on Covington but Colby answers with a catlike sprawl. Arman shoots as soon as the ref blows the whistle to restart. Colby waits and lets the clock expire. Arman's side-quest undefeated streak is over.

Colby Covington defeats Arman Tsarukyan 5-3, wins the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title.

We've not had any Arman Tsarukyan antics yet. Chael is talking with Covington first, of course. “Arman's going to be lightweight champ, I'm sure of it. It was an honor to compete with Arman tonight.†Really amicable of Covington. “His tie ups, fades, getting to the legs and be able to build up,†Covington continues. “Bring on Chimaev, bring over that cross-eyed dork Belal, bring on Woodley, they can all get it.†Covington wants to defend his title.

No interview from Arman Tsarukyan.

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UFC 331: 'Van vs. Pantoja 2' Live Results and Highlights

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UFC 331: 'Van vs. Pantoja 2' Live Results and Highlights

The Octagon returns to Los Angeles for tonight's UFC 331 event, a 12-bout fight card headlined by Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2.

Van and Pantoja originally collided at UFC 323 in December of last year, where ‘The Fearless' walked away with the promotion's coveted men's flyweight title after ‘The Cannibal' suffered a nasty arm injury the rendered him unable to continue (see that here).

Joshua Van (17-2 MMA) has since successfully defended the 125lbs strap, this after earning a fifth-round TKO victory over Japanese standout Tatsuro Taira. The 24-year-old will enter tonight's rematch sporting a seven-fight winning streak.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Pantoja (30-6 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since suffering the aforementioned arm injury against Van at UFC 323. Prior to that setback, ‘The Cannibal' was riding a seven-fight winning streak, a stretch which included four successful title defenses over the likes of Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France.

UFC 331 is co-headlined by a highly anticipated lightweight bout featuring Arman Tsarukyan taking on Maurício Ruffy.

(via Zuffa LLC)

Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA) will enter the contest on a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent Octagon victory coming against Dan Hooker via second-round submission in November of 2025. Prior to that triumph, ‘Batman' had earned a split decision win over current BMF title holder Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.

Meanwhile, Maurício Ruffy (14-2 MMA) was most previously seen in action at June's UFC Freedom 250 event, where he scored an impressive first-round TKO win over former lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler. The hard-hitting Brazilian has gone 4-1 over his past five fights, with his lone setback in that time coming against Benoit Saint Denis by way of submission.

If that wasn't enough to get you interested, tonight's UFC 331 main card lineup also features a featherweight matchup between Patrício Pitbull and Doo Ho Choi.

Pitbull (37-9 MMA) will enter the bout looking to rebound, this after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Aaron Pico at April's UFC 327 event. Prior to that setback, the former Bellator champion was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Dan Ige.

Meanwhile, Doo Ho Choi (17-4-1 MMA) currently boasts a three-fight winning streak, this after scoring TKO victories over Bill Algeo, Nate Landwehr and Daniel Santos. Prior to those impressive finishes, the Korean standout had fought Kyle Nelson to a majority draw.

Get all of tonight's live results and highlights below (refresh for updates):

UFC 331 Main Card (Paramount+, 9 p.m. ET)

Joshua Van (125) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (125) – Van def. Pantoja by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–47, 50–45)

Arman Tsarukyan (156) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (155) – Tsarukyan def. Ruffy via KO (elbow) at 4:57 of Round 1

Patricio Pitbull (145.5) vs. Doo Ho Choi (146) – Pitbull def. Choi via KO (punches) at 3:28 of Round 1

Gable Steveson (240) vs. Sean Sharaf (241) – Sharaf def. Steveson via KO (punch) at 0:12 of Round 1

Alonzo Menifield (205.5) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (206) – Menifield def. Baraniewski by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

UFC 331 Prelims (Paramount+, 7 p.m. ET)

Marlon Vera (136) vs. Charles Jourdain (135) – Vera def. Jourdain via TKO at 2:02 of Round 3

Tai Tuivasa (264.5) vs. Robelis Despaigne (263) – Despaigne def. Tuivasa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Michael Aswell (146) vs. Joo Sang Yoo (145.5) – Aswell def. Yoo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Ryan Gandra (186) vs. Ozzy Diaz (186) – Gandra def. Diaz via TKO (punches) at 2:04 of Round 1

UFC 331 Early Prelims (Paramount+, 5:30 p.m. ET)

Edmen Shahbazyan (185) vs. Brunno Ferreira (184.5) – Shahbazyan def. Ferreira by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

Casey O'Neill (125) vs. Eduarda Moura (125.5) – O'Neil def. Moura via submission (armbar) at 3:22 of Round 1

Giga Chikadze (146) vs. Joanderson Brito (145.5) – Brito def. Chikadze via KO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 1

Who are you picking to win tonight's flyweight title fight rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja? Share your predictions in the comment section Penn Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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UFC 331: Live updates, highlights for Van vs. Pantoja

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UFC 331: Live updates, highlights for Van vs. Pantoja

This is the UFC 331 live blog for Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski, the main card light heavyweight bout Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Menifield (18-7-1) heads into Saturday night's event as the underdog, but the 205-pound veteran has a habit of spoiling the plans of the matchmakers. This past May, he headed into enemy territory to win a thrilling striking battle against China's Zhang Mingyang, and was previously the first man to defeat French prospect Oumar Sy. He has won three of his past four fights.

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UFC 331 results: Alonzo Menifield wins split decision over Iwo Baraniewski despite mangled, broken thumb

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UFC 331 results: Alonzo Menifield wins split decision over Iwo Baraniewski despite mangled, broken thumb

Alonzo Menifield pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career at UFC 331 and he did it despite competing with a mangled thumb that was injured in the opening round.

Menifield showed off the gruesome injury afterwards and revealed it actually happened in the first round but he refused to stop fighting and ultimately won a split decision with scores reading 29-28, 29-28, 28-29 with two judges giving him the fight and the victory.

The light heavyweights were quick to throw with power to start the fight but neither of them were landing just yet. Baraniewski welcomed Menifield into the pocket as they were unloading huge punches.

Menifield connected with a slick combination but Baraniewski showed no fear as he kept firing back and he hurt his opponent as they battled against the cage. Menifield landed a solid punch but Baraniewski returned fire and connected with the better strikes as the light heavyweights hit the floor.

Baraniewski continued to find a home for his combinations but Menifield was evasive enough to avoid a potential knockdown or knockout.

As round two got started, Menifield marched forward and unloaded a barrage of punches in succession before ending up in the clinch with Baraniewskij, jockeying for position against the cage. After they separated, Baraniewski and Menifield just started trading bombs but they refused to go down despite landing with some seriously heavy leather.

With five minutes remaining, the ringside physician paused the action to check on Menifield's left thumb, which looked like it was barely connected to the hand. But Menifield insisted that he wanted to keep going so the fight continued despite effectively competing with a broken thumb.

The slugfest continued with both fighters landing at times, although Menifield seemed to do a big more damage as time ticked away to the final horn. Considering he was fighting with an injury that would send most fighters running for the doctor, Menifield somehow found a way to win as he picks up his second win in a row overall and hands Baraniewski the first loss of his professional career.

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