Colby Covington Challenges Kamaru Usman to Freestyle Wrestling Match

Covington wants to settle 'unfinished business' with Usman outside the UFC octagon.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Colby Covington has called out Kamaru Usman for a 'Real American Freestyle' wrestling match, proposing a trilogy fight between the two rivals outside of the UFC. Covington feels he has 'unfinished business' with Usman after losing their two previous UFC matchups, and believes a freestyle wrestling contest would allow them to definitively settle the score.

Why it matters

Covington and Usman have one of the most heated rivalries in MMA, with their two UFC fights being closely contested. A third match, this time in a freestyle wrestling format, would allow the two to compete in a different discipline and potentially provide closure to their long-standing feud.

The details

Covington has challenged Usman to a 'Real American Freestyle' wrestling match, stating that if Usman doesn't get a title fight against Islam Makhachev, he should 'come see daddy' in the freestyle format. Covington believes Usman would be interested in the match, as the Nigerian Nightmare has previously expressed a desire to settle the trilogy. Their two previous UFC fights were closely contested, with Usman winning both via TKO and decision.

  • Covington and Usman first fought at UFC 245 in December 2019, with Usman winning via TKO in the fifth round.
  • The rematch took place at UFC 268 in November 2021, with Usman winning via unanimous decision.

The players

Colby Covington

An American professional mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC welterweight division. He is known for his outspoken and controversial persona.

Kamaru Usman

A Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist who is the current UFC Welterweight Champion. He is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.

Islam Makhachev

A Russian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC lightweight division. He is the current UFC Lightweight Champion.

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What they’re saying

“You know what I'd really like to see? I'd like to see Usman in Real American Freestyle. We need 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 get the title fight, come see daddy at Real American Freestyle and let's do this trilogy b----.”

— Colby Covington (Bloody Elbow)

“He's said for a while that he wants to do a trilogy with me because we've got unfinished business... It only makes sense. Let's settle this in Real American Freestyle for our trilogy Usman.”

— Colby Covington (Bloody Elbow)

What’s next

If Usman does not receive a title fight against Islam Makhachev, the potential for a Covington-Usman trilogy match in a freestyle wrestling format could be explored.

The takeaway

The longstanding rivalry between Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman has captivated MMA fans, and a potential third matchup in a freestyle wrestling setting could provide a unique and definitive conclusion to their feud.