Raul Rosas Jr. needed just 43 seconds to force Colby Covington to tap out in their submission only grappling match at Hype Fighting in Italy on Tuesday night. This lightning-fast finish shocked everyone watching, especially given Covington’s reputation.
Rosas Jr. Makes a Statement in Italy
Accepting the match on late notice after Dillon Danis withdrew, Rosas barely broke a sweat. He put his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills on full display against Covington, who was a much larger opponent. Rosas scored an early takedown that clearly caught Covington by surprise. The UFC bantamweight contender was quick, jumping on Covington’s back and immediately working towards a submission. Once he locked in position, Rosas cinched on a rear naked choke, leaving Covington with nowhere to go. Covington resisted, but the tap came just moments later, bringing the 10-minute match to an end a mere 43 seconds in.
Eyes on the Future: UFC Gold and a Return to the Mat
After the incredible win, Rosas Jr. didn’t hold back. He praised Covington for taking the match and then immediately touted his future plans in the UFC. “It feels great,” Rosas said about the victory. “I was here in 2019, I became a world champ, so I’m glad to be back against a legend like Colby Covington. Being able to do it front of Conor McGregor, he’s a legend.” He continued, making his ambitions crystal clear: “I’m going to become the youngest UFC champion. I’m coming for that belt. That’s my main goal. This is just a second thing we do for entertainment. I’m glad to be able to share this with Colby Covington.”
For his part, Covington offered no excuses for the loss. He admitted he was looking forward to getting back to his wrestling ahead of a huge showdown against Khamzat Chimaev in RAF in Abu Dhabi, just two weeks away. “I just came out a little slow,” Covington stated. “This is the first time I’ve done jiu-jitsu in years. Every set back is a good opportunity for a comeback. I will get my hand raised next time.” Covington will now prepare for his return to RAF, while Rosas awaits his next assignment from the UFC, fresh off a recent win over Raoni Barcelos. The quick tap in Italy has certainly sent a message to Chimaev, and now all eyes are on that upcoming fight.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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