Real American Freestyle has announced a new championship designed
exclusively for elite crossover athletes from combat sports.

In a new social media post, RAF revealed details about the
competition. The inaugural championship bout of the new crossover
event will feature Arman
Tsarukyan against former
Ultimate Fighting Championship interim champion Colby
Covington.

RAF Crossover Championship creates new path for combat sports
athletes

RAF has introduced the RAF Crossover Championship, developed
exclusively for high-profile crossover athletes from combat sports.
The first cruiserweight match will take place at RAF 11 in
Milwaukee, featuring Tsarukyan and Covington.

The crossover will blend elite freestyle wrestling with MMA talent,
offering marquee crossover matchups.

“A new championship arrives at RAF,†RAF Wrestling's official X
account posted. “Introducing the RAF Crossover Championship.
Created exclusively for crossover wrestlers from across the world
of combat sports.â€

“The first chapter begins in Milwaukee with Arman Tsarukyan vs.
Colby Covington. The inaugural Cruiserweight Crossover
Championship,†the post further read.

Tsarukyan enters the matchup with a perfect 6-0 record under the
RAF banner, having most recently dominated Kuat
Khamitov at RAF Georgia. Covington, meanwhile, is unbeaten
through three RAF appearances, building on an accomplished amateur
wrestling background that includes an NJCAA national championship
and NCAA Division I All-American honors. The former interim UFC
welterweight champion last edged Chris
Weidman at RAF 9.

The event is set for July 18 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee.

A new championship arrives at RAF.

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… pic.twitter.com/EHDvb9kuwV

— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA)
July 13, 2026

Veteran global sports executive Loren Mack has joined BKB in a
landmark role. | 📷: Jonathan Wong/South China Morning
Post/Getty

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Bare Knuckle Boxing has made an important signing to its executive
team, inking veteran global sports executive Loren Mack as the
chief marketing officer and executive vice president of
strategy.

Founded by entrepreneur Mike Vasquez and former professional
fighter Dhafir “Dada
5000†Harris, Mack has joined BKB after his most recent run
with the
Professional Fighters League, where he served as senior vice
president of communications. BKB announced the hiring of Mack with
an official press release sent Wednesday morning ahead of its
upcoming show in Los Angeles on July 18. Per the release, Mack will
oversee global brand strategy and much more.

Loren Mack brings UFC, ONE Championship and PFL experience to
Bare Knuckle Boxing

“As chief marketing officer and executive vice president of
strategy, Mack will oversee BKB global brand strategy, audience and
content growth, broadcast and streaming marketing, live event
demand generation, and the marketing strategy supporting the
organization's sponsorship and partnership portfolio. As a member
of the senior leadership team, he will help shape BKB's enterprise
and corporate strategy while playing a key role in driving the
organization's long-term growth and value,†the press release
stated.

Mack has over two decades in combat sports, holding executive
leadership positions throughout his career with PFL, as well as
One
Championship and the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“BKB has achieved extraordinary growth over the past several years,
and we're assembling an executive team capable of taking the
organization to the next level,†BKB CEO David Tetreault said.
“Loren brings a rare combination of strategic vision, marketing
expertise, commercial leadership and deep industry relationships
developed over more than two decades in sports. His experience
building global brands and driving business growth will be
invaluable as we continue expanding our audience, strengthening our
partnerships, and continue to bring BKB to millions of fans around
the world.â€

Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer Khabib
Nurmagomedov believes Islam
Makhachev is in for a tricky outing against Ian
Garry.

Makhachev (28-1) is set to defend his welterweight title for the
first time against Garry (17-1) in the main event of UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Makhachev's friend and mentor, Nurmagomedov, notes that his protégé
has never faced an opponent as tall as Garry.

Why Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Ian Garry is a difficult
matchup for Islam Makhachev

Nurmagomedov admits that Garry's elusive style is a difficult
puzzle to crack. “The Eagle†further notes that Makhachev, nearing
35, is six years older than Garry. According to the former unbeaten
lightweight champion, the stylistic threat from Garry, combined
with the age difference, makes it a difficult matchup for
Makhachev.

“We've never faced an opponent this tall – 193 cm [6’4″],â€
Nurmagomedov said on the “Smol Talk” podcast. “We’ll have to chase
him, close the distance, grab him, and take him down. It will be a
difficult fight. And Islam is almost 35. The stylistic matchup and
the age together make this a difficult fight… I expect a hard
fight, assuming we don't get an early finish. Spending five rounds
with this opponent won't be easy. The training camp will be
difficult too, first because we have to find someone who can
imitate him.â€

American Kickboxing Academy founder and head coach of the
Dagestani team, Javier Mendez, recently revealed that
Professional Fighters League champion Usman
Nurmagomedov is helping Makhachev by mimicking Garry in
training.

Garry has racked up 10 UFC wins and suffered his lone professional
loss to Shavkat
Rakhmonov, who is sidelined due to an injury. Meanwhile,
Makhachev is undefeated in 16 straight Octagon outings, including
six title fights. The latter is tied with Anderson
Silva for consecutive UFC wins, and a victory at UFC 330 will
see the Dagestani set a new record.