Colby Covington (17-5, 12-5 UFC) and Chris Weidman (16-8, 12-8 UFC) are scheduled to face each other on May 30 at RAF09, a professional freestyle wrestling tournament. This represents a departure from traditional MMA competition for both fighters, who will test their grappling skills in a pure wrestling format. Covington has been known for his wrestling-heavy style in MMA, while Weidman is also a skilled grappler. The bout will take place at the ninth edition of the RAF wrestling event. Both fighters bring extensive UFC experience to this cross-sport competition.
Colby Covington and Chris Weidman are set to step outside the cage and onto the wrestling mat, with the two veteran UFC welterweight and middleweight fighters scheduled to meet at RAF09, a professional freestyle wrestling tournament, on May 30.
Covington, 38, holds a 17-5 record with 12 of those wins coming inside the UFC, competing out of MMA Masters. Known throughout his MMA career for relentless wrestling pressure, he averages 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes in UFC competition, one of the more imposing takedown rates in the promotion's welterweight division. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, "Chaos" has built his entire MMA identity around mat control and cage work.
Weidman, 42, carries a 16-8 record with 12 UFC wins to his name, training out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team. "The All-American" stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach and has long been regarded as one of the more technically sound grapplers to come through the middleweight division, averaging 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes across his UFC career. He also contributes on the feet, landing 3.11 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are legitimate wrestlers by background, making this a credible cross-sport matchup rather than a novelty exhibition.
- Covington's slight edge in takedown volume sets up an intriguing contrast against Weidman's longer frame and six-inch reach advantage.
- RAF09 represents the ninth edition of the professional freestyle wrestling series, continuing the trend of MMA-trained athletes competing in pure grappling formats.
- Neither fighter is currently ranked among the UFC's active title contenders, freeing both to explore competition outside the promotion.
