Ben Askren shares prediction for Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington at RAF

Ben Askren has an interesting take on the upcoming wrestling match between Colby Covington and Arman Tsarukyan. 

Covington (17-5) and Tsarukyan (23-3) will headline RAF 11 on July 18 at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee. While Tsarukyan is considered to be in his prime, Askren believes Covington will give him a close contest. Askren notes that Tsarukyan will be going up in weight against Covington, who has wrestled at even heavier weight classes before. Regardless, Askren believes Tsarukyan will edge out Covington by a single point.

“It’s interesting because Arman is going up in weight,” Askren said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." “I believe they’re wrestling at 185 [pounds], while Colby has wrestled a couple of his matches at 200 pounds… Colby's clearly the larger person. I don't know. I'm very split on it. I think it's kind of a coin flip. Colby – Weidman was a fun one… Arman did have some close matches against Georgio Poullas, who was an all right college wrestler, I guess we'll say. I don't really know what to expect. I think it's gonna be competitive. I'll go with Arman by a point.”

While Covington last fight in the UFC was in 2024, he only recently parted ways with the promotion to fully dedicate himself to RAF. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan has been active at RAF as he awaits a UFC lightweight title shot. Covington and Tsarukyan are both undefeated at RAF. Covington has defeated Luke Rockhold, Dillon Danis, and Chris Weidman. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan has defeated Georgio Poullas twice, and Lance Palmer, Keelon Jimison aka “Mugzy,” and Urijah Faber. Tsarukyan predicts that he will beat Covington 10-0 at RAF 11.