Colby Covington: Chimaev's crew planned RAF 10 stage rush

Colby Covington believes Khamzat Chimaev's corner came to Real American Freestyle 10 ready to fight.

Chimaev pinned Dillon Danis in 45 seconds at Sunday's event in St. Louis before chaos erupted on the stage, per Sherdog. Chimaev appeared to kick Danis after the fall, then members of Chimaev's Chechen crew swarmed the mat. Security intervened as multiple men tried to reach Danis.

Covington calls for professionalism after stage rush

Covington, who attended RAF 10 and recently left the UFC to work full-time with the wrestling promotion, said the melee looked coordinated. "It seemed like the Chechens, they came for that; they rushed the stage right away, they were ready for a fight," he told Red Corner MMA. Covington reviewed footage afterward but could not pinpoint what triggered Chimaev's kick, speculating Danis may have caught a guillotine during the scramble.

The former UFC welterweight contender said the incident undermines RAF's credibility. "We've got to be more professional. We're getting paid to be out there, we're not freaking thugs, we're not in the schoolyard," Covington said, according to Red Corner MMA. "This is a professional sport. We want to build Real American Freestyle into the greatest wrestling promotion in the world. And we just can't have that."

RAF has not announced disciplinary action. Covington added the promotion will ensure similar scenes do not repeat at future cards.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Colby Covington: Khamzat Chimaev’s team came prepared to brawl at RAF 10