Colby Covington has publicly challenged former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman to a trilogy bout, but with a twist: a wrestling match under the banner of Real American Freestyle (RAF). The challenge, issued on February 27, 2026, comes as Usman explores potential fights outside of the UFC, including a possible matchup with current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.
“I’d like to witness Usman in Real American Freestyle,” Covington stated, according to a post on Championship Rounds’ X account. “We require to do this. We need to settle the trilogy in Real American Freestyle, so that’s what I’m proposing here today. If Usman doesn’t receive the [UFC] title shot [against Islam Makhachev], arrive see daddy at Real American Freestyle, and let’s do this trilogy, b*tch.”
Covington and Usman have already faced each other twice in the UFC octagon. Usman won their first encounter at UFC 245 in December 2019, stopping Covington with a fifth-round TKO. Usman secured a second victory over Covington via unanimous decision at UFC 268 in November 2021. Despite Usman’s two wins, Covington believes their rivalry remains unresolved.
The callout comes as Usman considers options outside of an immediate rematch for the UFC title. He is currently “angling for a crack at reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev,” according to reporting from BJ Penn. Covington’s challenge offers an alternative path, leveraging the growing popularity of RAF, a promotion that Covington recently debuted with, defeating Luke Rockhold earlier this year.
The Instagram account homeoffight also highlighted Covington’s challenge on February 27, 2026, further amplifying the callout.
Whereas Usman has not yet responded to Covington’s challenge, he has previously expressed interest in a rematch with Covington, as reported by Yahoo Sports. The potential for a third fight between the two welterweight contenders remains a topic of discussion within the MMA community.
