Chimaev vs. Covington Set For RAF Abu Dhabi

Khamzat Chimaev will fight Colby Covington at Real American Freestyle Abu Dhabi on November 14th.

The matchup, confirmed Monday on RAF's social channels per MMA Mania, puts two former UFC champions in the main event for the organization's Cruiserweight Crossover Championship. Covington's participation had been uncertain after RAF announced Chimaev as a headliner on September 21st without naming an opponent.

Covington has gone 5-0 with RAF since leaving the UFC in May. His streak includes victories over Belal Muhammad, Arman Tsarukyan, Chris Weidman, Dillon Danis, and Luke Rockhold. Chimaev is 3-0 in the promotion with wins over Gilbert Burns, Tyron Woodley, and Danis after dropping the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 back in May.

Chimaev fights next on October 24th at RAF 14 in Las Vegas against Robbie Lawler. His commitments to RAF in October and November suggest he will not return to MMA action until 2027 at the earliest.

The card takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi with a 1 p.m. EST start time.