Rosas Jr. Chokes Out Covington in 40 Seconds as McGregor Returns to Rome
Raul Rosas Jr. defeated Colby Covington in 40 seconds via rear-naked choke at a Hype FC event in Rome, replacing a withdrawn Dillon Danis. Conor McGregor attended as a special guest, marking his first public appearance since a knee injury ended his comeback fight against Max Holloway.
Key points
- Raul Rosas Jr. submitted Colby Covington in 40 seconds at Hype FC in Rome, Italy, on November 3, 2026.
- Covington was originally scheduled to face Dillon Danis in a submission-only grappling match, but Danis withdrew on short notice.
- Conor McGregor attended the event as a special guest, his first public appearance since suffering a knee injury at UFC 329 in July 2026.
- Covington’s loss is his first since his last UFC fight in 2024; he is scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14.
- Rosas Jr. is set to make his Real American Freestyle debut against Clay Guida at RAF 15 on November 28.
Background
Conor McGregor has been recovering from an ACL tear sustained during his comeback fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in July 2026, which ended in a 69-second TKO. He had previously targeted International Fight Week 2027 for his final bout on his current contract. Meanwhile, Colby Covington has been competing under the Real American Freestyle banner, having won five matches since leaving the UFC, including victories over Danis, Luke Rockhold, Chris Weidman, Arman Tsarukyan, and Belal Muhammad.
How outlets are covering it
MMA Mania highlighted Conor McGregor’s presence at the event, noting he was 'front-and-center' and 'having the time of his life' ringside, while also referencing his recent knee injury. Sherdog focused on the technical details of the fight, emphasizing Rosas Jr.’s 40-second submission and Covington’s upcoming RAF match against Khamzat Chimaev. Bloody Elbow centered on McGregor’s return to the spotlight, quoting his Instagram post about 'taking over Rome' with his partners, and noted the uncertainty surrounding Danis’s withdrawal. All three sources agree on the 40-second submission time and the replacement of Danis by Rosas Jr., but differ in emphasis: MMA Mania on McGregor’s presence, Sherdog on the fight outcome and future schedules, and Bloody Elbow on McGregor’s public statements and the event’s broader context.
Why it matters
The result marks Covington’s first loss since 2024 and signals a shift in his competitive trajectory as he transitions to Real American Freestyle. Rosas Jr.’s quick victory on short notice underscores his readiness for his upcoming RAF debut. McGregor’s public appearance signals a potential return to the spotlight, though his recovery timeline and future fight plans remain uncertain. The event also highlights the growing prominence of alternative combat sports formats like Hype FC and Real American Freestyle in the MMA landscape.
What to watch
Colby Covington is scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14, 2026. Raul Rosas Jr. will make his Real American Freestyle debut against Clay Guida at RAF 15 on November 28, 2026. Conor McGregor’s next public appearance or fight announcement remains unconfirmed, but he has targeted International Fight Week 2027 for his final bout on his current contract.
- Midnight Mania! McGregor Caught Dying With Laughter Ringside After Rosas Chokes Out ‘Chaos’ MMA Mania
- Raul Rosas Jr. submits stunned Colby Covington in just 43 seconds in Hype Italy grappling match Yahoo Sports
- Video: Raul Rosas Jr. submits Colby Covington in 40 seconds at Hype FC Sherdog
- Conor McGregor vows to ‘take over’ event after last-minute Dillon Danis withdrawal Bloody Elbow
- Why is Raul Rosas Jr replacing Dillon Danis against Colby Covington at HYPE Italy? DAZN
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