Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion Chris Weidman forced after injury Colby Covington out of a scheduled wrestling match at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14.
Real American Freestyle announced the replacement on Monday. The bout will headline the event at the Etihad Arena, with the promotion’s light heavyweight crossover championship at stake. Chimaev was originally slated to challenge Covington for the cruiserweight crossover title.
Chris Weidman replaces Colby Covington against Khamzat Chimaev in the RAF Abu Dhabi Wrestling title match on November 14
Covington had won five consecutive RAF bouts before his retirement. His resignation followed a loss to UFC bantamweight
Raul Rosas Jr. At a wrestling match at Hype FC in Rome on November 3rd. Rosas scored a rear naked choke in about 40 seconds.
Chimaev, a former UFC middleweight champion, has earned victories in the RAF Dillon in Dan, Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns. He also defeated Robbie Lawler October at RAF 2 p.m.
Weidman lost a decision to Covington in his only previous RAF appearance, at RAF 9 in May.
NEW MAIN EVENT Khamzat Chimaev will now face the former MMA middleweight champion Chris Weidman for the RAF Lightweight Crossover Championship on November 14 at the Etihad Arena. Weidman comes in after Colby Covington was forced to withdraw due to injury. RAF ABU DHABI. NOVEMBER 14 🇦🇪 Tickets in bio. Watch on @foxnation in the US and @Starzplay in MENA
– Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA)
November 9, 2026