Colby Covington and Chris Weidman will face each other in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF 09 on May 30. Covington brings a 17-5 overall MMA record with a 12-5 UFC mark, while Weidman stands at 16-8 overall and 12-8 inside the octagon. Both former UFC contenders will step away from MMA competition temporarily to test their wrestling skills in this specialized format. The match represents an interesting crossover event for two veteran mixed martial artists. Details about the ruleset and specific weight class for the wrestling bout have not been disclosed in the announcement.
Two veteran UFC fighters will trade the cage for the mat when Colby Covington and Chris Weidman meet in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF 09 on May 30.
Covington, known as "Chaos," carries a 17-5 overall MMA record and a 12-5 mark inside the UFC octagon. The 38-year-old American, who trains out of MMA Masters, is a natural fit for a wrestling-focused crossover event. He averages 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition, one of the more aggressive grappling rates among UFC welterweights, and stands six feet tall with a 72-inch reach.
Weidman, nicknamed "The All-American," holds a 16-8 overall record and has gone 12-8 in UFC competition across his career. The 42-year-old New Yorker fights out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team and stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach. He averages 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA bouts, and his background as a Division I wrestler at Hofstra University makes him a credible participant in a pure wrestling format.
Why it matters
- Both men bring legitimate wrestling pedigrees to a specialized competitive format, giving the crossover event genuine sporting credibility.
- Covington's higher takedown rate in MMA sets up an intriguing tactical contrast with Weidman's longer frame and collegiate wrestling foundation.
- The specific ruleset and weight class for the bout have not yet been announced, leaving key competitive details unresolved.
- Neither fighter is sacrificing an active UFC campaign to compete, framing this as a side venture rather than a career pivot.
