Colby Covington and Chris Weidman will face each other in a professional freestyle wrestling match on May 30 at RAF 09. Covington brings a 17-5 overall MMA record with a 12-5 UFC mark, while Weidman holds a 16-8 overall record and 12-8 UFC record. This represents a departure from traditional MMA competition for both fighters, who will compete under wrestling rules rather than mixed martial arts regulations. The match will take place at a professional wrestling tournament rather than an MMA event. Both fighters are established UFC veterans transitioning to showcase their grappling skills in a pure wrestling format.
Two of the welterweight and middleweight divisions' most recognizable veterans will step onto the wrestling mat rather than into the Octagon, as Colby Covington and Chris Weidman are scheduled to meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match on May 30 at RAF 09.
Covington, known as "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, has built his reputation on relentless pressure and elite grappling, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, he is widely regarded as one of the sport's premier wrestlers.
Weidman, nicknamed "The All-American," enters with a 16-8 overall record and a 12-8 UFC mark. The 42-year-old Serra-Longo Fight Team product stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach and has long been considered one of MMA's most technically sound wrestlers, averaging 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. His wrestling credentials were a cornerstone of his run as UFC middleweight champion.
Why it matters
- Both fighters bring legitimate, high-level wrestling pedigrees, making this a credible pure grappling contest rather than a novelty exhibition.
- The event marks a notable departure for two established UFC veterans, showcasing their skills outside the MMA ruleset that defined their careers.
- Covington's slight edge in takedown volume per 15 minutes sets up an intriguing stylistic clash against Weidman's longer, rangier frame and decorated wrestling background.
