Colby Covington praises Arman Tsarukyan following RAF 11 match: “You’re gonna be the UFC lightweight champ”

Colby Covington has nothing but good things to say about Arman Tsarukyan after they shared the mat in Milwaukee.

Covington and the top UFC lightweight contender headlined the RAF 11 card, and it was “Chaos” who was awarded the 5-3 victory. While “Akhalkalakets” has been known for his antics during freestyle wrestling matches, he had mutual respect for Covington, who believes Tsarukyan is well on his way to being a world champion.

During an appearance on “Submission Radio,” Covington revealed what he told his opponent after they were done grappling (via MMAMania.com).

“Unbelievable match. I told him, man, you’re gonna be the UFC lightweight champ,” Covington recalled. “I’m so convinced. No one’s gonna beat him at Lightweight, that’s a perfect division. Justin Gaethje has no chance. The pace, the wrestling, the way he mixes it up with everything — no one’s gonna stop him right now.”

Covington believes he took things to another level when grappled Tsarukyan, but he has no doubt in his mind that the elite fighter from Georgia will be holding UFC gold at some point.

“I was in peak form last night. It didn’t matter who was gonna be in there, I was going to get my hand raised because I wanted it so bad … but I felt how good Arman was. And I just let him know how much I respect him and how much I appreciate the opportunity to compete against him. I just know he’s going to go on to be the UFC Lightweight Champion.”

While Tsarukyan has been busy outside of the Octagon, he hasn’t had a pro MMA bout since UFC Qatar back in Nov. 2022 when he submitted Dan Hooker. UFC CEO Dana White appears to have softened his stance on Tsarukyan as of late, as “Akhalkalakets” had been in the doghouse over issues behind-the-scenes.

Do we see Arman Tsarukyan compete for UFC gold before the end of 2026, or will he have to wait a bit longer? Sound off in the comments below.