As far as freestyle wrestling goes, it doesn’t get much bigger than this.
Former UFC titleholders will collide for a different type of gold on November 14, with Colby Covington set to defend his RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship against Khamzat Chimaev inside Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena.
Chimaev opens as a staggering -1000 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Covington sits as a +650 underdog.
Chimaev (4–0 RAF) is coming off a dominant win over fellow ex-UFC titleholder Robbie Lawler at RAF 14 on October 23, securing an 11–0 technical fall in under two minutes. The 32-year-old grappler holds additional RAF victories over Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, and Gilbert Burns.
Covington (5–0 RAF) bulldozed former UFC champ Belal Muhammad for a 10–0 technical-fall win at RAF 13 on September 18. The 38-year-old wrestler has also beaten Luke Rockhold, Danis, Chris Weidman, and, most notably, current UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. That said, Covington will look to bounce back from a stunning upset loss in his submission-only grappling exhibition with Raul Rosas Jr. on November 3 — getting tapped out in 43 seconds.
