Covington Defends RAF Title Against Muhammad In September

Colby Covington will defend his Real American Freestyle cruiserweight crossover championship against Belal Muhammad on Sept. 19 in Miami, the promotion announced this week.

The bout, originally targeted for RAF 12 in August, was pushed back after officials instead slotted Merab Dvalishvili against Henry Cejudo for the lightweight crossover crown on Aug. 22 in Cleveland, according to Sherdog. Both matchups feature active or former UFC fighters competing in a wrestling format under RAF's crossover division rules.

Muhammad Confrontation Sparked Matchup After RAF 11

Covington became the inaugural cruiserweight crossover champion with a victory over UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 11 in July. Muhammad confronted Covington during the post-event press conference, igniting a brawl that immediately fueled talk of a showdown between the longtime rivals, per the report.

RAF 12 in Cleveland will also feature Jordan Burroughs against Sean Brady, Bo Nickal versus Max McEnelly, and Tyron Woodley facing Joaquin Buckley on the undercard.

The Miami card in September adds a catchweight bout between social media personalities Larry Wheels and Mike Holston, known as The Real Tarzann. Championship action includes Evan Wick defending the RAF middleweight title against Jason Nolf, David Carr meeting Tajmuraz Salkazanov for the welterweight crown, and Kennedy Blades taking on Diana Avsaragova for the women's middleweight belt. Gable Steveson faces Anthony Cassioppi on that same card.

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — Colby Covington vs. Belal Muhammad back on for RAF Crossover title fight