Colby Covington Back on the Wrestling Mats: from the Tsarukyan Clash to Gilbert Burns Talks

From major highlights to background context, get a complete picture of Colby Covington Back on the Wrestling Mats: from the Tsarukyan Clash to Gilbert Burns Talks with our comprehensive overview.

The confirmation of Colby Covington vs. Khamzat Chimaev at RAF Abu Dhabi represents a definitive test of contrasting wrestling traditions. Chimaev brings an aggressive, three-time Swedish freestyle wrestling national championship record, powered by Dagestani-style trips and explosive lifts. Where Chimaev seeks immediate submission threats and brute-force dominance in the opening frame, Covington relies on deep waters and progressive tactical wear.

Adding fuel to the fire, Covington disrupted the promotional narrative by pitching a wrestling showdown against middleweight brawler Sean Strickland callout prior to the Chimaev date. Observers viewed this move as classic Covington theatrics, but it also reflects a veteran grappler hunting high-profile stylistic matchups on his own terms.

Having matched wits against Arman Tsarukyan on the mats and navigated match proposals involving elite submission specialist Gilbert Burns, Covington has shown he has no hesitation testing his credentials against top-tier grappling talents. Against Chimaev, however, Covington faces a distinct physical puzzle: an opponent with natural middleweight frame dimensions who shoots with explosive freestyle precision.