Colby Covington Claims He Dominated Arman Tsarukyan in Training: "I Was Levels Above Him"

Colby Covington is never one to let an opportunity for trash talk pass by, especially when it involves his work on the wrestling mats. The former interim UFC welterweight champion recently reflected on his mat sessions with top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, making it abundantly clear that he believes there is a wide gap in their skill levels.

The comments come hot on the heels of their high-profile freestyle wrestling showdown at RAF 11 in Milwaukee. Competing for Real American Freestyle’s inaugural Crossover Cruiserweight Championship, Covington managed to edge out Tsarukyan in a competitive 5-3 decision. While the official match was closely contested, Covington claims their private training sessions tell a completely different story.

Unfiltered as always, "Chaos" did not hold back when detailing how their practice rounds went down behind closed doors.

“I was levels above him, I took him down many times,” Covington stated. “He never took me down.”

Settling The Score on the Mat

Covington’s confidence stems from a deep wrestling pedigree that propelled him to the top of the UFC's 170-pound division. A former NCAA Division I All-American at Oregon State University, Covington built his entire MMA career around relentless pressure, an endless cardio tank, and dominant top control.

Holding 17 professional MMA victories, including signature wins over former champions Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler, the 38-year-old veteran has long maintained that his wrestling remains elite against anyone in combat sports.

On the other side, Tsarukyan has established himself as one of the most dangerous lightweight fighters under the UFC banner. Boasting a 23-3 professional record, the Armenian standout has earned a reputation for combining explosive takedowns with relentless ground-and-pound. His wrestling has been a primary weapon in his rise up the 155-pound rankings, making Covington’s claims of absolute dominance all the more striking.

Despite the jab about their training sessions, Covington has acknowledged Tsarukyan's championship potential inside the Octagon, even offering encouraging words to the lightweight contender following their RAF 11 collision. However, when it comes to raw wrestling control, "Chaos" insists the hierarchy is already set in stone. Whether these comments spark a future rematch on the mats or bleed into further combat sports crossover, Covington has ensured that his rivalry with Tsarukyan remains as heated as ever.