Kamaru Usman has answered Colby Covington’s recent challenge for a wrestling showdown with a sharp reply referencing their brutal rivalry. The callout came as Covington proposed settling their long-standing differences through a Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling match, catching Usman’s attention in early 2026.
The History Behind the Rivalry
The rivalry between Usman and Covington dates back several years, fueling some of the most intense moments in UFC history. Their first encounter inside the Octagon occurred in late 2019, ending with Usman delivering a fifth-round TKO victory after breaking Covington’s jaw. The two met again in November 2021, where Usman secured a unanimous decision win. These clashes laid the foundation for their ongoing animosity.
Covington Pushes for a New Type of Showdown
Despite suffering recent setbacks within the UFC—having lost three of his last four fights—Covington is seeking to revive his competitive edge through freestyle wrestling. In an interview with Bloody Elbow, he issued a strong challenge to Usman, urging him to compete in a RAF event to settle their trilogy outside the cage.
“I’d like to see Usman in Real American Freestyle,”
Covington expressed.
“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 [UFC] title shot [against Islam Makhachev], come see daddy at Real American Freestyle, and let’s do this trilogy, b*tch.”
Usman’s Firm and Defiant Response
Usman acknowledged Covington’s proposal with a confident and confrontational message posted on his social media. His tweet left little doubt about his readiness and willingness to accept the challenge should it materialize.
“I Br@ke Your Face” @ColbyCovMMA @RAFWrestlingUSA #SeeYouSoonBoi
?Kamaru Usman, UFC Welterweight Champion
Covington’s Wrestling Resurgence and What It Means
Though Covington has struggled to maintain his previous dominance in UFC bouts, his recent performance in freestyle wrestling suggests he may be revitalized. Notably, he attained a decisive victory over former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold, showing signs of being more comfortable competing in the wrestling arena. Fans are now curious whether this momentum could translate into overcoming Usman in their potential wrestling encounter.
Potential Impact and Future Possibilities
The prospect of a Real American Freestyle wrestling match between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington offers a fresh avenue for their rivalry to continue beyond the UFC cage. For fans of both combat sports and wrestling, such a contest would provide an intriguing clash of skills and styles. Whether promoters and the athletes will follow through remains uncertain, but the challenge has revived interest in their ongoing feud and what might come next in their competitive saga.
“I Br@ke Your Face” @ColbyCovMMA @RAFWrestlingUSA #SeeYouSoonBoi
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) March 1, 2026
“I Br@ke Your Face” @ColbyCovMMA @RAFWrestlingUSA #SeeYouSoonBoi
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) March 1, 2026
