Colby Covington Wins Inaugural RAF Crossover Championship; Ben Askren Retires
Colby Covington Wins Inaugural RAF Crossover Championship; Ben Askren Retires
US · Published Jul 19, 2026
The Real American Freestyle (RAF) 11 event took place on July 18, 2026, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event featured 12 matches, including a headline bout where Colby Covington defeated Arman Tsarukyan 5-3 to claim the inaugural RAF crossover championship. In another emotional highlight, former MMA champion and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren returned to the mat after a life-threatening illness and a double lung transplant in
Askren faced his former teammate Belal Muhammad in a cruiserweight match, ultimately losing 6-

Impact & Risks

The event showcased the growing popularity of crossover wrestling and MMA, attracting fans of both sports. Colby Covington's victory solidifies his position as a key figure in RAF, while Ben Askren's retirement marks the end of an era for a celebrated athlete. The emotional farewell highlighted the physical and mental toll of professional sports. The event's success could further boost RAF's reputation, but it also underscores the risks athletes face in returning to competition after severe health challenges.

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