Raul Rosas Jr. needed just 43 seconds to secure a tapout victory over Colby Covington in their high-profile submission-only grappling match at Hype Fighting in Italy on Tuesday, delivering a lightning-fast statement on the international stage.
Stepping into the match on late notice after original opponent Dillon Danis withdrew from the card, the youthful UFC bantamweight contender barely broke a sweat as he showcased his elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills. Despite squaring off against a much larger and more physically imposing opponent in Covington, Rosas imposed his game plan immediately and left no room for the veteran welterweight to establish any offense.
The bout began with an immediate surprise when Rosas scored an early takedown, catching Covington completely off guard. Known primarily for his relentless pressure and high-output wrestling in mixed martial arts, Covington found himself on the defensive almost instantly as the much lighter Rosas proved to be a formidable grappler.
Capitalizing on the momentum, the UFC bantamweight contender was quick to jump on Covington’s back, immediately initiating the sequence to work toward a decisive submission. Once he established dominant control and secured his position, Rosas expertly locked on a rear-naked choke to look for the rapid finish.
Covington did his absolute best to resist the squeeze and escape the perilous position, but the defensive effort was ultimately futile. He was forced to tap out just a moment later, with the official time of the stoppage coming at a mere 43 seconds into what was originally scheduled as a 10-minute submission-only match.
In the aftermath of the rapid victory, Rosas addressed the crowd and the media, praising Covington for accepting the high-stakes match on short notice while also outlining his grand ambitions for his career inside the Octagon.
"It feels great," Rosas said of the win, reflecting on his return to the combat sports scene in Italy. "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 in front of Conor McGregor, he’s a legend."
Rosas seized the opportunity to reiterate his primary career objectives, making it clear that grappling spectacles are secondary to his ultimate ambitions in mixed martial arts.
"I’m going to become the youngest UFC champion," Rosas continued. "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."
On the other side of the mat, Covington offered no excuses for the uncharacteristically swift defeat. While acknowledging the disappointment of the outcome, the outspoken veteran noted that he was eager to shift his focus back to traditional wrestling as he prepares for a demanding upcoming schedule in mixed martial arts.
"I just came out a little slow," Covington admitted regarding the quick submission. "This is the first time I’ve done jiu-jitsu in years. Every setback is a good opportunity for a comeback. I will get my hand raised next time."
For Covington, the quick grappling detour serves as a brief pit stop before a major test under the Real American Freestyle banner. He is now set to turn his full attention toward a high-stakes showdown against Khamzat Chimaev at RAF in Abu Dhabi, which is scheduled to take place in just two weeks’ time.
Meanwhile, Rosas awaits his next official assignment from the UFC following a recent victory over Raoni Barcelos. With another high-profile win now added to his resume—albeit in a grappling format—the young contender continues to build momentum as he marches toward his ultimate goal of UFC championship gold.
