Chris Weidman Steps In for Injured Colby Covington Against Khamzat Chimaev in RAF Abu Dhabi Main Event

Khamzat Chimaev is set to face a new opponent in the main event of RAF Abu Dhabi this Saturday. Chimaev was originally scheduled to compete against Colby Covington for the American's Cruiserweight Crossover Championship in the headline bout at Etihad Arena. However, Covington has been forced to withdraw due to an injury and will be replaced by former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.

Consequently, Chimaev and Weidman will now vie for the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship as RAF wrestling makes its debut in the Middle East. "Wrestling has always been a huge part of my life, and I love competing against the best," stated Weidman, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American. "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.”

Weidman previously made history in 2013 by defeating Anderson Silva to end the Brazilian legend's record-breaking UFC middleweight title reign, subsequently defending the championship three times. UAE star Chimaev is also a former UFC middleweight champion, having defeated Dricus du Plessis for the title last August. However, he lost the belt to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 earlier in May via split decision, marking the first loss in Chimaev's 16-fight professional MMA career.

Chimaev, 32, boasts a perfect wrestling record, having won all 27 of his matches. His most recent three victories have been under the RAF banner, with his latest being an 11-0 Technical Fall win over Robbie Lawler. Weidman, 42, is a two-time NCAA Division I All-American who retired from professional MMA in January 2025. He has competed once in the RAF, suffering a loss to Covington at RAF 9 in May.

The RAF Abu Dhabi event features a star-studded card, with notable names such as Arman Tsarukyan, Umar Nurmagomedov, Merab Dvalishvili, Julianna Pena, and newly crowned five-time world champions Kyle Dake and Kyle Snyder scheduled to compete in the UAE capital.