Belal Muhammad finally got his chance to settle a long-running rivalry with Colby Covington at RAF 13. The result could hardly have gone worse for the former UFC welterweight champion. Covington controlled the wrestling match and secured a dominant 10-0 technical fall.The Belal Muhammad Colby Covington loss continued a difficult run for Muhammad across combat sports. He posted his first reaction following the defeat after failing to score against his longtime rival. The result also allowed Covington to retain the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship.
Belal Muhammad Reacts After Difficult RAF 13 Defeat
Muhammad addressed the result following one of his toughest performances on the RAF mats. The defeat came after weeks of personal exchanges between both former UFC titleholders. However, the heated rivalry did not produce the competitive wrestling battle many expected.
Covington controlled almost every important exchange once the match settled. Muhammad struggled to establish his own offense and never scored a point. The 10-0 technical fall left little doubt about which fighter adapted better to the RAF ruleset.
Colby Covington Takes Control in the Opening Period
The match briefly stopped after an accidental eye poke from Covington during the opening exchanges. Muhammad recovered and initially defended Covington’s first takedown attempt. The momentum changed quickly when Covington attacked again.
Covington converted a front headlock into a four-point scoring sequence near the boundary. Another takedown extended his advantage to 6-0 before the opening period ended. Muhammad entered the second period needing a major response, but Covington never allowed him to build sustained offense.
Covington Completes the 10-0 Technical Fall
Muhammad attempted to increase his pressure during the second period. Covington remained composed and stopped a double-leg attempt before moving behind his opponent. That sequence increased his advantage and moved the match closer to an early finish.
Muhammad eventually faced the RAF shot clock while trailing heavily. The clock expired with Covington holding a 9-0 advantage, producing the final point required for technical superiority. Covington officially won 10-0 before two complete periods had finished.
Muhammad Could Not Match Covington’s Wrestling Background
Muhammad built much of his UFC success around pressure, clinch work and takedowns. Pure freestyle wrestling presented a different challenge. Covington entered the contest with considerably stronger competitive wrestling credentials and used that experience throughout RAF 13.
Covington became an NCAA Division I All-American during his collegiate career. He also won a junior college national championship before developing into a UFC title contender. Those credentials translated effectively when MMA striking and cage work disappeared from the equation.
RAF 13 Continued Muhammad’s Mixed Wrestling Run
Muhammad entered RAF 13 after splitting his first two appearances with the promotion. He suffered a 10-0 technical fall against David Carr during his RAF debut. He responded by defeating former UFC welterweight champion Ben Askren 6-3 at RAF 11.
The Covington defeat leaves Muhammad with a 1-2 RAF record. More importantly, both of his RAF losses have ended through 10-0 technical falls. His victory over Askren remains his only win under the promotion’s freestyle wrestling rules.
Covington Backed Up His Pre-Match Prediction
Covington had predicted this exact type of result months before the match happened. Following their confrontation at RAF 11, he claimed he could defeat Muhammad through a 10-0 technical fall. His comments came while questioning whether their heated rivalry should become an official match.
RAF eventually booked the contest for September, giving both men the opportunity to settle their feud competitively. Covington then produced the same 10-0 score he had previously discussed. The result made his earlier prediction particularly notable after the final whistle.
Years of Bad Blood Finally Led to a Match
Covington and Muhammad spent years competing near the top of the UFC welterweight division. Their paths never crossed inside the Octagon despite repeated exchanges outside it. RAF finally provided the setting for their rivalry to become an actual contest.
Tensions increased significantly after RAF 11 in July. Muhammad defeated Askren that night, while Covington beat Arman Tsarukyan for the crossover championship. Their post-event confrontation nearly became physical and helped create the RAF 13 title match.
Muhammad Entered RAF 13 Under Pressure
Muhammad, 38, entered RAF 13 with a 24-6 professional MMA record. The former UFC welterweight champion has faced a difficult period since losing his title to Jack Della Maddalena. His recent MMA results have pushed him further away from another immediate championship opportunity.
RAF offered Muhammad a different platform to rebuild momentum. His victory over Askren appeared to move things in the right direction. The one-sided Covington result instead gives him another setback to process before deciding what comes next in either competition.
Covington Remains Perfect in Real American Freestyle
Covington’s success has moved in the opposite direction since joining RAF. His victories include crossover matches against several recognizable MMA names. He also defeated Tsarukyan to capture the inaugural Cruiserweight Crossover Championship.
The victory over Muhammad extended Covington’s unbeaten RAF run and gave him another successful championship performance. His wrestling background has translated naturally into the promotion’s format, where he can attack without worrying about punches, kicks or submissions.
Khamzat Chimaev Could Be Next for Colby Covington
Covington did not spend long celebrating before attention shifted toward another major matchup. Khamzat Chimaev also competed at RAF 13 and defeated Gilbert Burns 15-4 by technical fall. His performance immediately created discussion about a possible meeting with Covington.
Chimaev has already shown interest in facing Covington on the wrestling mats. Covington also mentioned several possible opponents after beating Muhammad. A future meeting between the two would give RAF another high-profile crossover matchup involving established UFC names.
What Comes Next for Belal Muhammad?
Muhammad now faces an important decision after another disappointing result. His RAF record has fallen to 1-2, while his MMA career has also experienced recent setbacks. Returning directly to wrestling would give him an opportunity to correct the weaknesses Covington exposed.
The UFC remains another option because Muhammad continues to compete professionally in MMA. His experience as a former champion still gives him name value within the welterweight division. However, his next appearance could become particularly important after a difficult stretch across both sports.
Final Thoughts
The Belal Muhammad Colby Covington loss ended their long-awaited grudge match in unexpectedly one-sided fashion. Covington entered with the stronger pure wrestling résumé and made that difference visible. Muhammad could not score before the match ended through a 10-0 technical fall.
The result also sends both men in different directions. Covington leaves RAF 13 with his championship and another possible blockbuster matchup ahead. Muhammad must regroup after falling to 1-2 on the RAF mats. His next move will show whether he continues pursuing crossover wrestling or turns his complete attention back toward MMA.
FAQs
Who won Colby Covington vs Belal Muhammad at RAF 13?
Colby Covington defeated Belal Muhammad by technical fall at RAF 13. The match ended with Covington holding a 10-0 advantage during the second period.
What happened to Belal Muhammad at RAF 13?
Muhammad struggled to generate offense against Covington’s wrestling. Covington built a 6-0 opening-period lead before completing the 10-0 technical fall during the second period.
What is Belal Muhammad’s RAF record?
Muhammad now holds a 1-2 record in Real American Freestyle. He defeated Ben Askren but lost by technical fall against David Carr and Colby Covington.
Did Colby Covington retain his RAF championship?
Yes. Covington successfully defended the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship against Muhammad. He originally captured the title by defeating Arman Tsarukyan.
Could Colby Covington face Khamzat Chimaev next?
A Covington vs Chimaev wrestling match has emerged as a possible future matchup. Chimaev defeated Gilbert Burns 15-4 at RAF 13 before expressing interest in Covington.
