Chris Weidman Replaces Colby Covington Against Khamzat Chimaev at RAF Abu Dhabi

Five days before RAF Abu Dhabi, Khamzat Chimaev has a new opponent and Chris Weidman has a short-notice championship assignment.

Real American Freestyle announced Monday that Weidman will replace Colby Covington against Chimaev in Saturday's main event at Etihad Arena. The match will be for the RAF light heavyweight crossover title.

The switch keeps Chimaev on the card but changes the matchup around him. Covington brought an established RAF run and a personal rivalry with Chimaev. Weidman brings a different wrestling background, a previous appearance under the RAF ruleset and almost no time to prepare for this specific opponent.

RAF did not give a reason for Covington's exit

RAF's announcement named the new main event without explaining why Covington withdrew. MMA Junkie reported that an injury forced him out, while MMA Fighting noted that the promotion did not disclose a cause. Until Covington or RAF provides more detail, the injury remains reported rather than officially confirmed.

Chimaev responded on X with a familiar jab at his original opponent: "Colbi is not coming, he is scared." The post supplied heat but no information about the withdrawal.

That distinction matters here. Covington's exit is confirmed. The reason for it is not confirmed by the promotion.

Weidman has already wrestled Covington in RAF

Weidman is not walking into RAF cold. The former UFC middleweight champion made his promotional debut in May and lost a close 5-4 decision to Covington. He was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American at Hofstra before his MMA career, so the assignment fits his background even if the notice is rough.

Chimaev has been far busier in the promotion. MMA Fighting reports that he has won four RAF matches since June, beating Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns and Robbie Lawler. His most recent appearance came against Lawler at RAF 14 in October.

The replacement also changes the size of the title attached to the match. Covington had been scheduled to defend the RAF cruiserweight crossover belt. RAF's updated announcement lists Chimaev-Weidman for the light heavyweight crossover championship instead.

The main event changes, but the Abu Dhabi card stays intact

Etihad Arena's official event page now lists Chimaev vs. Weidman as the main event and Arman Tsarukyan vs. Neiman Gracie as the co-main event. It also advertises Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Urijah Faber and Julianna Peña vs. Diana Avsaragova among the featured matches.

MMA Junkie reports that the event will stream on Fox Nation. The venue lists the show for November 14 at Etihad Arena, marking RAF's Abu Dhabi debut.

For Weidman, the appeal is obvious. A win over Chimaev on a card built around the promotion's biggest name would carry far more weight than an ordinary late replacement spot. The problem is the calendar: he has days, not weeks, to adapt to an opponent who has been competing regularly under RAF rules.

Chimaev keeps the hometown headline and a recognizable opponent, but the matchup is no longer the grudge match RAF originally sold. Saturday's main event is now a test of whether Weidman's wrestling base and prior RAF experience can make up for the abrupt call.