Mixed martial arts sensation Colby Covington, fresh off a dominant grappling performance, has set his sights on a legendary opponent. After a commanding victory, Covington issued a direct challenge to Georges St-Pierre, a renowned figure in the UFC Hall of Fame, for a wrestling encounter. This proposed matchup between two prominent fighters known for their exceptional takedown abilities has ignited considerable interest within the combat sports community.
Covington's call for a 'Real American Freestyle' wrestling match comes after his impressive technical fall win against former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. This challenge to St-Pierre not only highlights Covington's confidence but also his ambition to face the best in grappling, positioning him against a fighter widely regarded as one of the most accomplished in UFC history, especially concerning takedowns.
Covington's Assertive Challenge to St-Pierre
Colby Covington, following his convincing 12-0 technical fall win over ex-UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at RAF 5, wasted no time in issuing a bold challenge. Addressing the crowd, Covington called out UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre for a wrestling match, specifically under the banner of 'Real American Freestyle.' This move underscores Covington's self-assuredness and his desire to test his grappling prowess against one of the sport's most respected figures. His public challenge suggests a strategic attempt to elevate his profile and engage in a high-stakes encounter that would captivate fight fans and analysts alike, leveraging his recent success to make a compelling case for this anticipated showdown.
Covington's immediate challenge to Georges St-Pierre post-victory indicates a clear strategic vision for his career, aiming to solidify his position as a premier grappler in combat sports. By targeting St-Pierre, who boasts an impressive 87 takedowns in his UFC welterweight career—a record Covington himself is approaching with 70—he's not just seeking a fight, but a legacy-defining contest. This call-out is designed to generate significant buzz, pitting two generations of elite wrestlers against each other. For Covington, this match would be an ultimate test of skill, offering a unique opportunity to prove his standing against a legend, while for fans, it promises a spectacle rooted in the fundamental aspects of combat: pure wrestling skill.
The Legacy and Potential Return of Georges St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre, a celebrated figure in UFC history, is renowned for his exceptional wrestling and a record of nine consecutive title defenses in the welterweight division. Despite his impressive career statistics, including the most takedowns in UFC welterweight history, St-Pierre has been retired from professional competition since 2017 due to health concerns, making Covington's challenge particularly intriguing. The prospect of St-Pierre returning to any form of competitive grappling, especially against a top-tier opponent like Covington, sparks considerable debate about his current physical condition and willingness to re-enter the demanding world of combat sports, even in a wrestling-specific format.
St-Pierre's last professional fight was in November 2017, where he claimed the UFC middleweight title from Michael Bisping before retiring due to health issues just months later. Now 44, the idea of him returning, even for a wrestling-only exhibition, presents an interesting dilemma for the legendary fighter. While Covington, at 37, is still actively competing, albeit on a two-fight losing streak in the UFC from 2025, a wrestling match with St-Pierre would undoubtedly draw massive attention. Such a contest would not only test St-Pierre's enduring skill and conditioning but also provide a rare opportunity for fans to see a legend potentially return to action, even if in a modified format, adding another chapter to his already illustrious career.