Colby Covington and Chris Weidman will meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match on May 30 at RAF 09. Covington holds a 17-5 overall MMA record with a 12-5 UFC mark, while Weidman is 16-8 overall and 12-8 in the UFC. Both former UFC title contenders will be competing outside of MMA in this wrestling-specific event. The match represents an unusual crossover appearance for both fighters. No additional context about the event location or other details was provided in the announcement.
Colby Covington and Chris Weidman are set to square off in a professional freestyle wrestling match on May 30 at RAF 09, stepping outside the MMA cage for a competition rooted in the grappling backgrounds that defined both of their careers.
Covington, nicknamed "Chaos," carries a 17-5 overall MMA record with a 12-5 mark inside the UFC. The 38-year-old American, who trains out of MMA Masters, built his reputation on relentless pressure and a tireless wrestling game, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes across his UFC career. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, Covington has long been regarded as one of the welterweight division's most dangerous wrestlers.
Weidman, known as "The All-American," brings a 16-8 overall record and a 12-8 UFC ledger to the contest. The 42-year-old Serra-Longo Fight Team product stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach and was a standout collegiate wrestler before transitioning to MMA. His takedown rate of 3.27 per 15 minutes reflects a grappling-heavy style that earned him the UFC middleweight title during his prime years.
Why it matters
- Both fighters bring legitimate, high-level wrestling pedigrees, making the stylistic matchup a natural fit for a freestyle format.
- The contest represents a notable crossover moment, with two former UFC title contenders competing in a dedicated wrestling event rather than an MMA bout.
- Covington's edge in takedown volume against Weidman's longer reach and size advantage at six-foot-two sets up an interesting physical contrast on the mat.
No venue location or additional event details were included in the official announcement.
