Khamzat Chimaev vs Colby Covington Official for RAF Abu Dhabi Title Fight
Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington will clash for the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship on November 14 in Abu Dhabi.
The fight that MMA fans have demanded for years is finally happening, just not inside the Octagon.
Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington will meet for the Real American Freestyle Cruiserweight Crossover Championship on Saturday, November 14 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, per an announcement from RAF's official social media accounts. The card airs at 8 p.m. GST (1 p.m. EST).
Covington retired from the UFC in May and has been on a tear in RAF, racking up five straight wins over Belal Muhammad, Arman Tsarukyan, Chris Weidman, Dillon Danis and Luke Rockhold. Chimaev, meanwhile, lost his UFC middleweight title in a lackluster outing against Sean Strickland at UFC 328, per MMA Mania. He has since won three consecutive RAF bouts against Gilbert Burns, Tyron Woodley and Dillon Danis.
Chimaev still has work to do before the Covington showdown. He is scheduled to face Robbie Lawler at RAF 14 in Las Vegas on October 24.
The Abu Dhabi event lands on the same date as UFC 334, creating a direct head-to-head between the UFC and its crossover rival on a massive fight night.
I have been waiting for Chimaev vs Covington since they were both in the UFC talking all that noise, and the fact that it is happening in RAF instead of the Octagon tells you everything about where the combat sports landscape is headed. Covington reinvented himself in this format. Five wins, all against guys with serious UFC pedigree. Say what you want about Colby, but the man shows up.
Chimaev is the more dangerous fighter on paper, but he looked beatable against Strickland. The question is whether RAF's ruleset plays to Khamzat's wrestling advantage or Colby's cardio and volume. I lean Chimaev by finish, but I would not be shocked if Covington grinds out a decision and makes everyone eat their words again.
The fact that this card runs head to head with UFC 334 at MSG is a bold move by RAF. Dana has to be thrilled about that.
