Colby Covington has publicly invited Kamaru Usman to settle their rivalry with a third match in Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling, as both figures navigate challenges within the UFC framework. This proposal arrives amid recent tensions over Usman’s delayed opportunity to contest the welterweight title, with Covington positioning the RAF bout as an alternative resolution if Usman does not secure the next championship shot.
Known as ‘Chaos,’ Covington made his RAF debut earlier this year, defeating Luke Rockhold, and has since deepened his involvement with the organization as a partner and investor. Inspired by conversations around a potential Jon Jones-Daniel Cormier trilogy also being considered in RAF, Covington aims to bring a similar concept to his own rivalry with Usman, seeking to finalize their unfinished business outside of UFC’s cage.
Covington’s Offer Highlights Frustration Over Title Opportunities
Covington’s challenge comes after Usman expressed his differing views with the UFC regarding the timing of his title fight against Islam Makhachev. Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Covington affirmed that while he supports Usman receiving the next title shot, he is prepared to face him in a wrestling competition if that does not materialize. He stated,
“You know what I’d really like to see? I’d like to see Usman in Real American Freestyle,”
continuing,
“We need to do this. We need to settle the trilogy in Real American Freestyle so that’s what I’m proposing here today. If Usman doesn’t get the title fight, come see daddy at Real American Freestyle and let’s do this trilogy b—-.”
Covington’s insistence on the rivalry’s continuation is fueled by his perspective on their previous UFC matches, especially his belief that the first encounter was marred by questionable refereeing decisions. While he lost twice to Usman for the 170-pound title—in 2019 and 2021—Covington contends that many observers scored the rematch in his favor by a close decision.
He also expressed confidence that Usman would be interested in meeting him again under these new terms, telling Bloody Elbow,
“I think he would [take the match]. He’s a competitor. He likes to compete, he’s still got that fire and drive. He wants these title fights, he wants these big matchups… I think he would do it. I think it intrigues him. I think he wants to settle the score.”
Covington added,
“He’s said for a while that he wants to do a trilogy with me because we’ve got unfinished business… It only makes sense. Let’s settle this in Real American Freestyle for our trilogy Usman.”
Reviewing the Dynamics of the Covington-Usman Rivalry
The competitive history between Covington and Usman is defined by closely contested fights and contrasting strategies. Their first bout at UFC 245 was notable for the absence of takedown attempts from either fighter, evolving instead into a purely striking contest. Usman secured a late stoppage victory with less than a minute remaining, showcasing his striking prowess in that encounter.
In contrast, the rematch at UFC 268 saw Covington actively switch tactics by attempting 11 takedowns. Despite this aggressive effort, official UFC statistics credit Usman with the only successful takedown in the fight, even though he attempted 10 fewer takedowns. These figures reflect the ongoing tactical adjustments within their rivalry and underline the wrestling foundations both athletes bring to their fights.
Potential Implications of a Trilogy Match in Real American Freestyle
Covington’s call to move the trilogy fight into the realm of Real American Freestyle wrestling signals an unusual but strategic pivot in how MMA rivalries can transition beyond the traditional UFC platform. This proposition may appeal to fans interested in wrestling-focused contests and could offer an alternative stage for these two fighters to resolve their competitive history without UFC’s constraints.
Moreover, the challenge highlights ongoing debates surrounding fighter opportunities and matchmaking within the UFC, emphasizing frustrations that athletes and their supporters sometimes face when title shots are delayed or unclear. Should Usman accept Covington’s offer, the event could set a precedent for settling high-profile MMA disputes in specialized wrestling formats, potentially influencing how rivalries evolve in combat sports.
