Colby Covington there was an opportunity for that settle their long-standing rivalry together Sean Strickland on wrestling mats. Instead, “Kaos” weighed in at over 10 pounds.
Real American Freestyle (RAF) officially announced earlier today it Khamzat Chimaev challenges Covington for the Cruiserweight Crossover Championship on November 14, 2026 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
However MMAmania.com has learned that another huge former UFC rivalry was originally discussed before “Borz” got his championship shot.
According to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations, RAF was trying to book Covington against the reigning UFC middleweight champion. Strickland for that future Las Vegas map October 23 at Fontainebleau.
Strickland was interested, but wanted the wrestling match to take place at 200 pounds. Covington, a career lightweight who won RAF gold at cruiserweight earlier this year, wanted the bout at 190lbs.
Neither side could overcome that 10-pound gap, and Covington ultimately rejected Strickland’s match.
Maybe Covington made the right business decision. Strickland is a significantly larger opponent who has competed at both middleweight and light heavyweight and is an outright champion previously beat Chimaev capture the UFC 185-pound crown at UFC 328.
Covington won the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title by defeat Arman Tsarukyan and successfully defended itt Belal Muhammad earlier this month. “Chaos” remains unbeaten in five RAF appearances, with wins as well Chris Weidman, Dillon in Dan and Luke Rockhold.
Chimaev, meanwhile, is 3-0 on the RAF mats with a win over Danis. Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns. He must get past Lawler in Las Vegas before finally settling his long-standing rivalry with Covington in Abu Dhabi.
For now, Strickland’s RAF debut will have to wait.
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