Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington won't get to settle their beef on the RAF mats after all.
Chimaev was set to challenge Covington for the RAF cruiserweight crossover title in the RAF Abu Dhabi main event this Saturday at Etihad Arena, but Covington has withdrawn due to injury. Replacing Covington will be former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, promotion officials announced Monday.
Chimaev and Weidman will compete for the RAF light heavyweight crossover championship. The event streams live on Fox Nation.
Chimaev reacted to the news of Covington pulling out on with a post on X.
"[Colbi] is not coming, he is scared," Chimaev wrote.
Colbi is not coming, he is scared
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) November 9, 2026
Weidman, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, dropped a close
5–4 decision to Covington in his promotional debut at RAF 09 in May. Meanwhile, Chimaev will look to continue his unbeaten run in RAF after defeating Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns, and most recently Robbie Lawler at RAF 14 last month.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: With Colby Covington out, Khamzat Chimaev draws ex-UFC champ at RAF Abu Dhabi
