UFC bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr. submitted former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington in a grappling match held at Hype FC in Rome, Italy, on November 3, 2026. Rosas Jr. stepped in on short notice to replace Dillon Danis, who withdrew from the event. The match concluded swiftly, with Rosas Jr. securing a rear-naked choke in approximately 40 to 43 seconds, forcing Covington to tap out.
The event garnered additional attention due to the presence of Conor McGregor at ringside. Following the quick finish, videos circulated online appearing to show McGregor laughing at the outcome. However, McGregor later addressed these clips, stating on X that the footage was "false and fully edited." He clarified that while he had an enjoyable time at the event, the placement of his laughter in the video was misleading, emphasizing his respect for all competing athletes.
Rosas Jr.'s Rapid Ascent
Raul Rosas Jr., at 21 years old, continues to make headlines in the combat sports world. His UFC record stands at 7-1-0 across eight fights, showcasing a strong start to his professional career. Rosas Jr. entered this grappling contest on a five-fight UFC win streak, with his most recent victory coming in September 2026 against Raoni Barcelos, where he won by KO/TKO in the fifth round. His grappling prowess is evident in his UFC statistics, boasting an average of 4.3 takedowns per fight with 67% accuracy, alongside a 60% takedown defense rate. Rosas Jr. is currently ranked #10 in the UFC Bantamweight division.
Covington's Grappling Outing
Colby Covington, 36, a seasoned UFC veteran with a UFC record of 12-5-0 across 17 fights, is primarily known for his elite wrestling background. His UFC takedowns per fight average 3.7 at 47% accuracy, though his takedown defense stands at 40%. Covington's last UFC fight was in December 2024, a loss to Joaquin Buckley by KO/TKO in the third round. Prior to that, he lost to Leon Edwards by unanimous decision in December 2023. While Covington has no immediate UFC fights scheduled, he is booked for a Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling match against Khamzat Chimaev in November 2026. Rosas Jr. is also scheduled to make his RAF debut against Clay Guida later in November 2026.
The submission victory by Rosas Jr. over a grappler of Covington's caliber, particularly on short notice, marks a significant moment for the young bantamweight. Covington acknowledged the outcome, stating that it was his first time doing jiu-jitsu in years and that he came out a little slow.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Colby Covington | 12-5-0 | unranked |
| Raul Rosas Jr. | 7-1-0 | Bantamweight #10 |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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