KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has stepped in as a late replacement for the injured Colby Covington and will face Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of Real American Freestyle Wrestling (RAF), on Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The title clash for the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship headlines the MMA promotion’s debut in the Middle East. Covington withdrew from the card due to an undisclosed injury, snapping a five-match winning streak under the RAF banner following a recent submission loss in grappling to Raul Rosas Jr.
Dubai-based Chimaev scoffed at the last-minute injury withdrawal. “Colbi is not coming, he is scared,” he posted on his X account, misspelling his rival’s name. Chimaev has dominated four straight wrestling matches since June with victories over Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns, and Robbie Lawler.
Stepping into the marquee matchup is Weidman, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American who famously ended Anderson Silva's record-breaking UFC middleweight title reign in 2013 and defended the belt three times.
Weidman returned to competitive wrestling with his RAF debut in May, suffering a decision loss to Covington in what marked his first fight since a 2025 grappling bout against Patrick Downey.
“Wrestling has always been a huge part of my life, and I love competing against the best,” Weidman said. “Khamzat is a tough opponent, and having a title on the line makes this fight even more exciting. Abu Dhabi has hosted some of the biggest fights in the world, so getting the chance to compete here for the first time is special. I'm ready to go out there and give it everything I've got.”
The supporting card for RAF Abu Dhabi features a deep roster of international talent including Arman Tsarukyan, Umar Nurmagomedov, Merab Dvalishvili, Julianna Peña, and five-time world wrestling champions Kyle Dake and Kyle Snyder.