Overview
- Colby Covington defeated Arman Tsarukyan 5-3 to claim RAF’s inaugural crossover cruiserweight title and will defend the belt at RAF 12.
- Ben Askren returned to competition roughly one year after a double-lung transplant but lost 6-3 to Belal Muhammad and announced his retirement after the match.
- A heated post-event press conference saw Belal Muhammad rush and kick Covington before security intervened, and RAF immediately booked Covington vs. Muhammad for RAF 12 in Cleveland on August 22.
- Concerns about Askren’s comeback were public before the card, with Covington saying the return was risky because Askren had recently survived life‑threatening pneumonia and a transplant.
- RAF used the Milwaukee event to underline its crossover strategy by featuring former UFC stars and a new title, a move that boosts short-term attention but raises questions about fighter health and long-term credibility.