Real American Freestyle launches MMA crossover championship

Real American Freestyle has launched a championship division for elite crossover athletes from combat sports, with the inaugural bout set for Milwaukee next week.

The promotion announced the RAF Crossover Championship on social media over the weekend, per Sherdog. Arman Tsarukyan will face former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington in the first cruiserweight title fight at RAF 11 on July 18.

Tsarukyan and Covington headline new crossover format

The division is designed to blend freestyle wrestling with mixed martial arts talent in marquee matchups. "Created exclusively for crossover wrestlers from across the world of combat sports," RAF Wrestling posted on X, announcing what it called "the first chapter" of the championship.

Tsarukyan brings a 6-0 RAF record into the bout after dominating Kuat Khamitov at RAF Georgia. Covington stands unbeaten through three RAF appearances, building on an amateur wrestling background that includes an NJCAA national title and NCAA Division I All-American status. He last beat Chris Weidman at RAF 9.

The event streams at 8 p.m. ET from Milwaukee on July 18.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Real American Freestyle expands with MMA crossover championship division