Colby Covington says a showdown with Georges St-Pierre on the Actual American Freestyle mats might be nearer than most followers assume. In an interview with Vincent Falco of LowKick MMA, the previous UFC interim welterweight champion revealed that RAF is actively in discussions with St-Pierre about competing at an upcoming occasion.
Colby Covington vs. Georges St-Pierre
Covington, who has been a fixture across the promotion since shutting out former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold through 12-0 technical fall at RAF 5 in January, was in attendance on the RAF 6 media day in Tempe, Arizona forward of the February 28 card. He has since change into a long-term associate and investor in Actual American Beer, the Hulk Hogan co-founded model that serves as RAF’s title sponsor. Talking in an unique interview with LowKick, Covington stated:
“There’s been loads of traction with these matches, and we’d have GSP on the subsequent present. I most likely shouldn’t give any spoilers as a result of Chad Bronstein would possibly come over right here and beat me up, so I’m not going to say something too loopy or give away any inside data.
“GSP is ; he needs to return out and he nonetheless has that aggressive fireplace, and I do know the followers nonetheless wish to see him. GSP, get out right here. Let’s do that: America versus Canada. We’ve obtained that rivalry occurring, particularly after what simply occurred on the Olympics with the hockey group, so let’s go settle it in actual American freestyle: Colby Covington versus GSP.
“So far as Usman, he’s exhibiting loads of curiosity as properly, however he’s not going to get a title combat, so I believe his profession goes to be executed and he’s most likely going to retire. It is sensible to do that trilogy over right here in actual American freestyle and provides the followers the largest and finest present they will get.”
Covington’s “America versus Canada” framing ties instantly into the USA’s 2-1 additional time win over Canada within the males’s hockey gold medal recreation on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 22. The consequence reignited a well-recognized rivalry between the 2 nations, and Covington seems desirous to channel that vitality right into a wrestling matchup with the Canadian St-Pierre.
The GSP pursuit has been constructing for months. Covington first known as out St-Pierre throughout his post-fight interview after the Rockhold win, pointing to takedown statistics as the rationale the match is sensible. St-Pierre holds the UFC welterweight report with 87 profession takedowns, whereas Covington sits second with 70.
RAF 7 is scheduled for March 28 on the Yuengling Middle in Tampa, Florida, headlined by Kyle Dake defending his cruiserweight title in opposition to Parker Keckeisen. Whether or not St-Pierre seems at that occasion or a later card stays to be seen. The promotion has additionally introduced RAF 8 for April 18 in Philadelphia.
St-Pierre final competed in MMA at UFC 217 in November 2017, when he submitted Michael Bisping to win the middleweight title earlier than retiring. At this stage, GSP is essentially thought-about the Best of All-Time in MMA.
Kamaru Usman in RAF?
Covington additionally addressed Kamaru Usman in his feedback. He and Usman fought twice within the UFC, at UFC 245 in 2019 and UFC 268 in 2021, with Usman profitable each. Covington has been vocal about wanting a trilogy. Usman has been open to the concept as properly, having expressed common curiosity in competing in RAF. Nevertheless, Covington’s feedback counsel he views the GSP matchup because the precedence.
Covington wrestled collegiately at Oregon State College, the place he was a two-time Pac-10 champion and NCAA Division I All-American at 174 kilos. St-Pierre has no collegiate wrestling background however constructed one of the vital efficient takedown video games in UFC historical past throughout his 9 consecutive welterweight title defenses from 2008 to 2013.
RAF, co-founded by CEO Chad Bronstein and the late Hulk Hogan, launched in August 2025 and airs on FOX Nation. The promotion has rapidly attracted crossover MMA expertise, with Henry Cejudo headlining RAF 6 in opposition to Urijah Faber, Arman Tsarukyan competing on the identical card, and Michael Chandler having headlined RAF 3. Bronstein has acknowledged that RAF plans to maneuver to a weekly occasion format by the top of 2026.
