Sports
Raul Rosas Jr. needs just 43 seconds to choke out Colby Covington
UFC bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr. took a grappling match with Colby Covington on late notice in Rome and tapped the bigger man with a choke in 43 seconds.
Raul Rosas Jr. did not need long.
The UFC bantamweight submitted former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington in just 43 seconds on Tuesday. The submission-only grappling match was the main event of a Hype FC card in Rome, Italy.
The bout was set for 10 minutes. It barely lasted one.
A late call-up
Rosas was not even supposed to be in the match. Covington was set to face Dillon Danis, but Danis pulled out a day before.
Rosas stepped in despite a big size gap. He fights at 135 pounds in the UFC. Covington used to fight at 170.
It did not matter. Rosas took Covington down early, jumped on his back and locked in a rear-naked choke. Covington tapped moments later.
What they said
"I'm going to become the youngest UFC champion," Rosas said after the win. "I'm coming for that belt. That's my main goal. This is just a second thing we do for entertainment."
He also praised Covington for taking the match. He said it was special to win in front of Conor McGregor.
Covington made no excuses. "I just came out a little slow," he said. "This is the first time I've done jiu-jitsu in years. Every set back is a good opportunity for a comeback."
Busy weeks ahead
Covington is scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev in a wrestling match at RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14.
Rosas is set to make his own RAF debut against Clay Guida on Nov. 28.
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