Colby Covington and Chris Weidman will compete in a professional wrestling match on May 30 at RAF 09. Covington holds a 17-5 overall record with a 12-5 UFC mark, while Weidman is 16-8 overall and 12-8 in the UFC. Both fighters will be transitioning from mixed martial arts to compete in this grappling-focused event. This represents a departure from traditional MMA competition for both veterans. Further details about the ruleset and format were not provided in the announcement.
Colby Covington and Chris Weidman are set to square off in a professional wrestling match at RAF 09 on May 30, with both veterans stepping away from the MMA cage to compete in a grappling-focused format.
Covington, 38, carries a 17-5 overall record into the crossover bout, including a 12-5 mark inside the UFC. Known by his nickname "Chaos," the American wrestler out of MMA Masters has built his MMA career around relentless pressure and volume grappling, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 3.81 significant strikes per minute. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, Covington competes at welterweight and has long been regarded as one of the division's elite wrestlers.
Weidman, nicknamed "The All-American," brings a 16-8 overall record and a 12-8 UFC ledger to the match. The 42-year-old New Yorker, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach and has made wrestling a cornerstone of his game throughout his career, averaging 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes. His submission attempt rate of 0.8 per 15 minutes also reflects a well-rounded ground attack built on his collegiate wrestling base.
Why it matters
- Both fighters bring legitimate, high-level wrestling credentials to a professional grappling setting, making this a genuine competitive matchup rather than a novelty showcase.
- The bout represents a career detour for two long-tenured UFC veterans, signaling growing interest among established MMA fighters in crossover grappling events.
- Covington's edge in takedown frequency and Weidman's size and submission activity set up a compelling stylistic contrast on the mat.
- No ruleset or format details have been announced, leaving key questions about the competitive structure unanswered.
