Weidman Steps In for Covington to Face Chimaev at RAF 14
Chris Weidman, a former UFC middleweight champion, will wrestle Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of RAF 14 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. He replaces Colby Covington, who withdrew.
Weidman's second RAF match
Weidman has competed under the RAF banner once. In May he lost a decision to Covington, the man whose slot he now fills.
That May match was his first competition since a grappling loss to Patrick Downey in mid-2025. The RAF light heavyweight crossover championship will be on the line at the Etihad Arena.
What Chimaev brings
Chimaev has won all four of his wrestling matches since June, against Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns and Robbie Lawler. Weidman will be his fifth opponent in that run. Chimaev is also waiting for his next UFC assignment.
Covington's exit
RAF announced the swap on Monday. The promotion did not say what led Covington to pull out, though Chimaev took a shot at him on social media.
Covington had won five matches in a row in RAF. He then tapped out to a rear-naked choke, a hold applied from behind the opponent, in a grappling match against UFC bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr.
Card for Abu Dhabi
Thirteen bouts make up the lineup after the change. Chimaev vs. Weidman sits at the top.
- Khamzat Chimaev vs. Chris Weidman
- Arman Tsarukyan vs. Neiman Gracie
- Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Giga Chikadze
- Abdulrashid Sadulaev vs. Dauren Kurugliev
- Kyle Dake vs. Alp Arslan Begenjov
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Urijah Faber
- Jordan Burroughs vs. Azamat Nurykau
- Kyle Snyder vs. Shamil Erdogan
- Murtaza Talha vs. Osama Elsaidy
- Diana Avsaragova vs. Julianna Peña
- Merab Dvalishvili vs. Marlon Moraes
- Zahid Valencia vs. Khidir Saipudinov
- Kennedy Blades vs. Bella Mir
Source: MMA Fighting