Chimaev Gets Weidman After Covington Pulls Out Of RAF

Khamzat Chimaev will wrestle former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman at RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday after Colby Covington withdrew from the scheduled main event bout.

Real American Freestyle announced the swap Monday but did not reveal why Covington pulled out, per MMA Fighting. MMA Mania reports that Covington suffered an undisclosed injury that forced the withdrawal. The former interim welterweight champion competed last weekend at HYPE Fighting Championship in Rome, where he tapped to Raul Rosas Jr. in 40 seconds.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to RAF Abu Dhabi on Ticketmaster →

Chimaev took a shot at Covington on social media following the news, suggesting fear played a role in the pullout. The RAF heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight crossover championship remains on the line for the Etihad Arena headliner.

Chimaev's Unbeaten RAF Run Continues Against Weidman

Chimaev enters the bout on a four-match winning streak in RAF Wrestling since June, stopping Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns and Robbie Lawler. Weidman dropped a decision to Covington in his lone RAF appearance back in May.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to RAF Abu Dhabi on Ticketmaster →

Covington was riding a five-match RAF winning streak before his injury forced him off the card. "This is the first time I've done jiu-jitsu in years," Covington said after the Rosas loss, per MMA Mania. "Every setback is a good opportunity for a comeback."

The RAF Abu Dhabi card also features Arman Tsarukyan against Neiman Gracie, Zabit Magomedsharipov against Giga Chikadze, and Merab Dvalishvili against Marlon Moraes. The event airs Saturday from the Etihad Arena.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Khamzat Chimaev gets new opponent for RAF Abu Dhabi main event with Colby Covington out: ‘He is scared’
• MMA Mania — Colby Covington pulls out of Khamzat Chimaev match at RAF Abu Dhabi