Shortly after Ben Askren’s miraculous return to the wrestling mats at RAF 11, the primary occasion concludes with probably the most anticipated matches of the 12 months, Arman Tsarukyan taking up Colby Covington.
Tsarukian, who has a 7-0 document with Royal Air Pressure, has had a usually poor efficiency in opposition to his rivals since his promotion debut, however Covington will undoubtedly be his hardest take a look at but. Covington is in his prime as an All-American at Oregon State College and can also be an athlete who naturally grew greater after preventing primarily at 170 kilos all through his UFC profession.
Askren, a wrestler-turned-fighter himself, is in search of a bonus for each Tsarukian and Covington, and the combat might be determined by one large transfer or one key mistake.
“I believe will probably be fascinating,” Askren advised MMA Combating concerning the RAF 11 primary occasion. “Colby was a really stable wrestler, I believe it was 2008 or 2009, I might be fallacious concerning the 12 months, however 2009 was 17 years in the past. I’ve seen individuals who do not proceed wrestling, and that was an issue for me as nicely. I used to be doing combined martial arts, however I used to be operating a wrestling academy and I used to be wrestling commonly with guys at a really excessive stage. However in case you step out, you cease doing that.” After 15 to twenty years, there’s a noticeable decline in expertise over that point. MMA just isn’t the identical as wrestling. There are some similarities, however they aren’t the identical.
“Colby’s clearly the larger man, he is only a greater individual. He was a bit of drained, and I believe (Chris) Weidman was extra drained in his final combat — however Colby was positively drained. I see it as a really aggressive combat.”
Askren particularly recognized an space the place Tsarukyan has proven nice power since he began specializing in wrestling whereas awaiting his subsequent combat within the UFC.
“If Colby makes a shot, I believe one in all Ahman’s strengths is the entrance headlock, the chest-hug place,” Askren mentioned. “He is fairly good there. If he can get that far, I can see him profitable video games.”
Conversely, Covington may trigger issues for Tsarukian if he makes use of his measurement and power, and total Askren simply sees the previous UFC interim welterweight champion as an total higher wrestler.
“If Colby can push and pull and transfer a bit of bit extra and get a couple of clear leg assaults, Colby will win,” Askren mentioned. “I’d in all probability lean barely in the direction of Colby due to his measurement benefit.”
