UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has weighed in on reports that Colby Covington refused a wrestling matchup between the two. The proposed encounter, slated for the Real American Freestyle (RAF) promotion, fell through when the fighters could not reach an agreement on a mutually acceptable catchweight. Strickland insisted on competing at 200 pounds, while Covington would only entertain a 190-pound limit, ultimately leading to the fight being called off. However, the two couldn’t agree upon a mutually suitable catchweight limit. As a result, ‘Chaos’ turned down the Strickland fight.
Covington, who has seen significant activity on the wrestling mats since January, boasts a 5-0 record in RAF competition. During that streak, he successfully faced opponents including Belal Muhammad, Arman Tsarukyan, and Chris Weidman. Following the breakdown of the potential clash, Strickland took to social media to comment on the situation after the news was shared by an X user. The former UFC star went up against fighters like Arman Tsarukyan, Belal Muhammad, and Chris Weidman on the wrestling mats, coming away with a perfect 5-0 record.
Beyond his grappling interests, Strickland remains focused on his professional MMA career following his split-decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 this past May, which saw him reclaim the 185-pound title. Nassourdine Imavov has since emerged as the top contender for his next defense. The two previously met at UFC Vegas 67 in January 2023, where Strickland secured a win by unanimous decision.
As the UFC works to finalize the title rematch, Jorge Masvidal has offered his assessment of the upcoming bout. Speaking on the Deep Waters podcast, Masvidal expressed confidence in Strickland’s ability to secure another victory over Imavov. Strickland has confirmed that promotional discussions for the championship rematch are currently underway. Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at and more.
