Weidman steps in to face Chimaev at RAF 14 after Covington withdraws in Abu Dhabi

Chris Weidman will replace Colby Covington as Khamzat Chimaev’s opponent in the RAF 14 main event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, the promotion announced Monday. The RAF light heavyweight crossover championship will still be contested in the bout.

RAF did not disclose a reason for Covington’s withdrawal. Chimaev, however, was quick to offer his own verdict on social media, writing that Covington “is scared” — a pointed reference that landed days after Covington was submitted by a rear-naked choke in a grappling match against UFC bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr., ending a five-match winning streak inside the RAF organisation.

Chimaev enters the contest in dominant form. Since June, the UFC welterweight contender has gone four-for-four in RAF wrestling bouts, defeating Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns and Robbie Lawler in succession. He continues to compete in RAF while awaiting his next UFC assignment.

Weidman, the former UFC middleweight champion, has one prior RAF appearance to his name — a decision loss to Covington in May. That bout marked his return to competition following a grappling defeat to Patrick Downey in mid-2025.

The wider RAF 14 card in Abu Dhabi features a number of high-profile crossover matchups. Arman Tsarukyan meets Neiman Gracie, Zabit Magomedsharipov faces Giga Chikadze, and Olympic wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev takes on Dauren Kurugliev. Umar Nurmagomedov is also on the card against Urijah Faber, while Julianna Peña faces Diana Avsaragova and Merab Dvalishvili meets Marlon Moraes.