Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The Real American Freestyle (RAF) promotion is heading to Abu Dhabi for a fight event featuring Khamzat Chimaev as the headline attraction.
A crowd favourite and UAE resident, Chimaev secured his spot following a match against Robbie Lawler at RAF 14 in Las Vegas, where he won by technical superiority with an 11-0 score.
Following that victory, Chimaev turned his attention towards his next scheduled opponent, Colby Covington, for a bout on November 14 at the Etihad Arena.
Chimaev said: "That means I can break his neck finally, you know? Find the guy there. So, I know he's not happy to come over there, so he will need an ambulance to send him back."
Covington earned his place in this upcoming series by defeating Belal Muhammad by technical superiority 10-0 at RAF 13 in Miami.
Meanwhile, discussions regarding fighter contracts have dominated the headlines following the conclusion of Ultimate Fighting Championship’s card No.333, where Usman Nurmagomedov was observed sitting in the front row.
Nurmagomedov became a free agent after his final fight in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), which was a knockout win over Archie Colgan in New York.
However, that free agency status included a three-month matching period for the PFL, preventing the UFC from making a formal contract offer during that window.
With that matching period nearing its end, UFC president Dana White confessed his staff was watching the developments. “I’m not aware of the latest regarding contract talks, and I don't know where he is on his contract situation,” White said.
“I just said a couple of days ago that when his contract is up and when he can negotiate, we can start talking."
Nurmagomedov holds an undefeated professional record and remains a prominent figure in the lightweight division as potential promotional talks loom.
