Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev are set to settle the score with RAF gold on the line.
Promotional officials confirmed to MMA Fighting that Covington defends his cruiserweight crossover title against Chimaev in the main event of RAF Abu Dhabi. The event takes place Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena.
Chimaev was already scheduled to headline the card, but Covington is now in and puts his title on the line for the second time. “Chaos” captured the championship with a win via points over Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 11 in July, and successfully defended it earlier this month with a first-period tech fall win against Belal Muhammad in the main event of RAF 13.
Following his win over Muhammad, Covington told MMA Fighting that Chimaev needs to be careful what he wishes for.
Chimaev is now 3-0 in the promotion — including pinfall victories against Dillon Danis and Tyron Woodley. In his most recent matchup, “Borz” defeated past-UFC opponent Gilbert Burns at RAF 13 via tech fall. Chimaev is set to compete two weeks earlier against Robbie Lawler in the co-main event of RAF 14 in Las Vegas.
Tsarukyan is also slated to compete at the event with an opponent to be announced later. Jordan Burroughs, Henry Cejudo, and Kyle Snyder are also among athletes scheduled to compete on the promotion’s Abu Dhabi debut.
