Colby Covington and Chris Weidman will compete against each other at RAF 09, a professional wrestling tournament scheduled for May 30. Covington brings a 17-5 overall record with a 12-5 UFC mark into the freestyle wrestling match, while Weidman stands at 16-8 overall and 12-8 in the UFC. This represents a crossover appearance for both MMA fighters, who will be competing in pure wrestling rather than mixed martial arts. The bout adds to the growing trend of MMA fighters participating in high-level grappling and wrestling competitions outside their primary sport. Both athletes have strong wrestling backgrounds that will be on full display in this specialized competition.
Colby Covington and Chris Weidman are set to meet outside the cage at RAF 09, a professional wrestling tournament scheduled for May 30, where the two MMA veterans will compete in a pure freestyle wrestling match rather than a mixed martial arts bout.
Covington, known as "Chaos," carries a 17-5 overall record and a 12-5 mark inside the UFC. The 38-year-old American, who trains out of MMA Masters and stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, has long been recognized for his wrestling-heavy approach in MMA competition. He averages 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes in UFC bouts, one of the more productive rates in the welterweight division.
Weidman, nicknamed "The All-American," brings a 16-8 overall record and a 12-8 UFC mark to the wrestling mat. The 42-year-old Serra-Longo Fight Team product stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach and has built his MMA career around a well-rounded game that includes 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes. His nickname is a direct nod to the collegiate wrestling pedigree he has carried throughout his combat sports career.
Why it matters
- Both fighters bring legitimate, high-level wrestling credentials to the match, making for a technically credible crossover contest
- The bout continues a broader trend of established MMA fighters testing themselves in pure grappling and wrestling formats outside their primary sport
- Covington's edge in takedown volume versus Weidman's longer reach and size advantage at six-foot-two sets up an interesting stylistic contrast on the mat
