Colby Covington and Chris Weidman will compete against each other in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF 09 on May 30. Covington holds a 17-5 overall MMA record with a 12-5 UFC mark, while Weidman stands at 16-8 overall and 12-8 in the UFC. This crossover wrestling event marks a departure from traditional MMA competition for both fighters. The bout represents an opportunity for both former UFC contenders to showcase their grappling credentials in a pure wrestling format. Neither fighter is currently among the top contenders in their respective UFC divisions.
Colby Covington and Chris Weidman are set to face each other in a professional freestyle wrestling match at RAF 09 on May 30, stepping outside the MMA cage for a pure grappling contest.
Covington, nicknamed "Chaos," carries a 17-5 overall MMA record including a 12-5 mark inside the UFC. The 38-year-old American, who trains out of MMA Masters, stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach. He has built his MMA reputation on relentless wrestling pressure, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career — a number that underlines why this format suits his strengths.
Weidman, known as "The All-American," brings a 16-8 overall record and a 12-8 UFC ledger into the match. The 42-year-old Serra-Longo Fight Team product stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach and has long been regarded as one of the sport's more technically complete wrestlers. He averages 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition, and his nickname alone signals how central wrestling has been to his identity throughout his career.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are accomplished NCAA-level wrestlers, making this a credible pure grappling matchup rather than a novelty exhibition
- The crossover format gives each man a competitive platform outside of UFC rankings, where neither currently holds a top contender position
- Covington's higher takedown rate versus Weidman's size and reach advantage set up a compelling stylistic contrast on the mat
