Sports · Combat Sports · 3 hrs ago
Chris Weidman replaces injured Colby Covington to face Khamzat Chimaev
Chris Weidman will replace Colby Covington against Khamzat Chimaev in a wrestling match at RAF Abu Dhabi.
Covington withdrew because of an injury, and Weidman is stepping in on short notice.
The match will headline the event on November 14 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The pair will compete for the inaugural RAF light heavyweight crossover title, rather than the cruiserweight title Covington had held.
Chimaev is a former UFC middleweight champion, and Weidman is also a former UFC middleweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer.
Weidman lost to Covington in his RAF debut, so the replacement opponent brings a previous result into the new matchup.
The event also features other wrestling title bouts and a match between Zabit Magomedsharipov and Giga Chikadze.
Chris Weidman will replace injured Colby Covington against Khamzat Chimaev at RAF Abu Dhabi.
The bout will headline the November 14 event at Etihad Arena.
Chimaev and Weidman will compete for the inaugural RAF light heavyweight crossover title.
Covington withdrew after suffering an injury, following a submission loss to Raul Rosas Jr. earlier this month.
- Who
- Chris Weidman will face Khamzat Chimaev, replacing Colby Covington.
- What
- The pair will wrestle for the inaugural RAF light heavyweight crossover title.
- When
- November 14, 2026.
- Where
- Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- Covington withdrew because of an injury.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Covington beat Belal Muhammad to record his first successful title defense.
Covington was submitted by Raul Rosas Jr. in less than a minute.
RAF announced that Weidman would replace the injured Covington.
Chimaev and Weidman are scheduled to headline RAF Abu Dhabi.
- Replacement
- Chris Weidman replaces Colby Covington
- Opponent
- Khamzat Chimaev
- Event date
- November 14, 2026
- Venue
- Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
- Title
- Inaugural RAF light heavyweight crossover title
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What people are saying
Khamzat Chimaev will now face former MMA Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman for the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship on November 14 at Etihad Arena.
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NEW MAIN EVENT Khamzat Chimaev will now face former MMA Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman for the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship on November 14 at Etihad Arena. Weidman steps in after Colby Covington was forced to withdraw due to injury. RAF ABU DHABI. NOV 14.