Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman (Image Credits: Imagn)

Colby Covington Demands Kamaru Usman Trilogy Outside UFC

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Sarthak Khanna | Last updated Feb 27, 2026 3:37 PM ET

Colby Covington has reignited his rivalry with Kamaru Usman. But this time, he wants to settle it outside the traditional MMA cage. The outspoken welterweight recently challenged Usman to complete their trilogy in a Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling match, adding another dramatic chapter to one of the UFC’s most heated rivalries.

Covington didn’t mince words while issuing the callout. Frustrated with how their first two fights unfolded, “Chaos” claimed the score between them remains unsettled. He argued that the first bout ended prematurely and insisted that many observers believed he did enough to win the second encounter.

Covington, who made a comeback to UFC at UFC Tampa, said, “I’d like to see Usman in Real American Freestyle.” Continuing further, he stated, “We need to settle the trilogy in RAF. If Usman doesn’t get the title fight, come see daddy at Real American Freestyle and let’s do this trilogy. We’ve got unfinished business. The first fight was a scam and it was an early stoppage. The second fight, a lot of people had me winning that fight 3-2. So let’s settle this in RAF, Usman.”

Colby Covington has challenged Kamaru Usman to settle their trilogy in an RAF wrestling match.

“I’d like to see Usman in Real American Freestyle. We need to settle the trilogy in RAF. If Usman doesn’t get the title fight, come see daddy at Real American Freestyle and let’s… pic.twitter.com/xJoUcvCIQQ
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) February 27, 2026

The rivalry between Covington and Usman has always extended beyond athletic competition, fueled by bad blood and relentless trash talk. Their first meeting ended in a dramatic TKO victory for Usman, while the second saw the Nigerian Nightmare earn a decision win. Despite those outcomes, Covington has consistently maintained that the narrative surrounding their rivalry isn’t complete.

Colby Covington Pushes for Fresh Battleground

Colby Covington (Image Credit: Getty Images)

By proposing a Real American Freestyle wrestling match, Colby Covington is attempting to shift the battlefield to pure grappling—an arena where both men boast elite credentials. Covington, a former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, believes a ruleset focused strictly on wrestling would provide clarity and remove the striking and cage dynamics that influenced their UFC contests.

The suggestion also raises intriguing questions about Usman’s response. Usman, who built his foundation on collegiate wrestling before evolving into a dominant MMA champion, has never shied away from high-profile challenges. However, with his eyes potentially set on title contention, it remains to be seen whether he would entertain a detour into a specialty wrestling format.

For fans, the prospect of a third showdown carries undeniable intrigue. The Covington-Usman rivalry has delivered intensity, controversy, and elite competition. Now, with Covington publicly calling for a RAF clash, the door is open for a unique twist on one of the welterweight division’s defining feuds.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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