Colby Covington and Chris Weidman will face each other in a professional wrestling match at RAF09 on May 30. Covington brings a 17-5 overall MMA record (12-5 in the UFC) into the grappling bout, while Weidman holds a 16-8 record (12-8 in the UFC). The matchup represents a departure from traditional MMA competition for both veterans, who will compete under wrestling rules rather than mixed martial arts regulations. Both fighters have extensive grappling backgrounds from their MMA careers, making this an intriguing crossover event. The bout will take place at the ninth edition of the RAF wrestling promotion.
Colby Covington and Chris Weidman will step away from the MMA cage and onto the wrestling mat when they meet at RAF09 on May 30, competing under professional wrestling rules at the ninth edition of the RAF promotion.
Covington, known as "Chaos," carries a 17-5 overall MMA record into the crossover bout, going 12-5 during his UFC tenure. The 38-year-old American, who trains out of MMA Masters, stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach and has built his reputation on relentless pressure and elite wrestling. His MMA numbers reflect that identity — he averages 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 3.81 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the more complete offensive threats his division has seen.
Weidman, nicknamed "The All-American," brings a 16-8 record to the match, having gone 12-8 inside the UFC. The 42-year-old New Yorker trains with the Serra-Longo Fight Team and stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach. His MMA career has showcased sharp wrestling fundamentals, averaging 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 3.11 significant strikes per minute and a striking accuracy of 45 percent. His nickname alone signals how central grappling has been to his identity as a competitor.
Why it matters
- Both men bring legitimate Division I-level wrestling pedigrees to a dedicated wrestling format, raising the technical stakes of the matchup
- Covington's slightly higher takedown rate per 15 minutes edges Weidman's, but Weidman's reach advantage of six inches could factor into ties and positional battles
- The bout represents a growing trend of veteran MMA fighters crossing over into submission grappling and wrestling events outside traditional promotion structures
