​Colby Covington is back in action when he takes on Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 11 in Milwaukee on Saturday. That same night, his biggest career rival, Kamaru Usman, also makes his return at UFC OKC.Covington and Usman had arguably the most notable, high-profile rivalry of the past decade at welterweight. In two classic fights, Usman ultimately came out victorious, but Covington battled to the fifth round in each appearance. While Covington is tasked with Tsarukyan, Usman will have to get through former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe fight marks only Usman’s second time at middleweight. Having a vast familiarity with Usman, Covington believes Saturday will tell us a lot about the current state of the 39-year-old former welterweight king.”It’s tough to say. It could be just a cash grab. I guess we’ll find out on Saturday night how much fight he has left in him. He was always a big welterweight,” Covington told Uncrowned.”He was always oversized for the division. That was his biggest strength. He was just so much bigger than everybody at welterweight. He was so strong, so big, but I don’t know. He put up a great fight against Khamzat [Chimaev]. I think he should have won that fight, honestly. If it was five rounds, he would have won that fight, but he still did more damage in that fight. So, that’s the guy that was regarded as the best middleweight on the planet. I think he’s got a tougher matchup [now].”Usman’s Chimaev bout was his middleweight debut, which came on short notice in October 2023. In three rounds, Usman lost a majority decision before he rebounded with a dominant effort against Joaquin Buckley in June 2025. Du Plessis fought and lost the middleweight crown to Chimaev two months later and has been absent since.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite du Plessis also taking time away from competition, Covington still sees the younger, fresher former champion as too much.Colby Covington is all business in RAF — in more ways than one. (Photo by Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)(WWE via Getty Images)”Dricus is the one true King of Africa, and he’s going to prove it this weekend,” Covington said. “I think he’s going to get it done and get his hand raised in convincing fashion. But I don’t know. I don’t like these guys staying around too late. I think you got to get in and get out when your time’s there. When you pass your prime, a lot of injuries can happen. A lot of long-term damage can happen to your health. So, I wish them both the best and good health.”Covington, 38, has fully turned his attention to the RAF mats since he informed the UFC of his retirement in May. Undefeated in the freestyle wrestling promotion with three wins, Covington expects a fourth this weekend. Eventually, he hopes to get back that elusive victory over Usman.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”I’ve been begging for that match, man. I wanted that trilogy in the Octagon, RAF mat, in the side parking lot, s