Colby Covington has been a revelation on the RAF mats and is seeking further success in a potential blockbuster matchup against Khamzat Chimaev.
Almost a year and a half since their birth, Real American Freestyle is quickly becoming a lovable asset in the combat sports world. Fighters from across the globe are competing on their mats, with current and former UFC stars leading the pack. One man who has been an unstoppable force since debuting in the promotion earlier this year is Colby Covington. ‘Chaos’ by name and nature, the 38-year-old has amassed a perfect 4-0 start to life in RAF, beating some incredibly respectable opponents.
Wins over former UFC world champions Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman, as well as victories against the controversial Dillon Danis and the formerly undefeated Arman Tsarukyan, have made Covington the hottest property in the company. He puts his undefeated record on the line against Belal Muhammad later this month, but he has his sights set on something much bigger.
Currently 1-0 in RAF with several big matches on the horizon, Khamzat Chimaev has too caused a splash while returning to the fundamentals that he built his combat sports career on. A dominant wrestler, capable of out-grappling anybody around his weight class. If the pair remain unbeaten in the singlet, a monster event will likely be constructed around them.
However, if talks between the two parties do advance, it will be under one condition for Colby Covington.
“Yeah, definitely [there’s a chance I fight Chimaev],” Covington said. “It’s the matchup the fans want. I’ve always wanted this matchup for a long time. We were supposed to cross paths at one point in the UFC, but he was unprofessional. He couldn’t make the weight, and he went up a weight class. So, that fight never transpired. But it makes a lot of sense for RAF, but I’m not going to accommodate his weight. I’m not going to [accommodate to] his bogus demands. He’s going to have to come to a fair weight class for me.”
Colby Covington spent the entirety of his mixed martial arts career at 170 lbs. Khamzat Chimaev is the opposite. Chimaev spent the majority of his early UFC career at welterweight before jumping up to 185 lbs, with rumors also suggesting he may move up to 205 lbs in the near future.
Not willing to accept a wrestling match with an oversized opponent, Covington wants to see a strict weight restriction in place should their fight ever unfold.
“185. I think that’s a fair weight class. You know, what he fights [at] in the UFC. Just come down. He used to fight at 170, so it shouldn’t be too hard making the weight.”
“But, you know, we’ve got to talk to his team. See if they can make it. They want a big weight. They want to do, like, in the 200s. I don’t weigh above 190, so why would I go to the 200s? I’m not going to give up 30-pounds to a guy. It just, it doesn’t make sense.”
“But, I want the biggest and best matchups. I’m the people’s champ. I want to give the people what they want. If the people want it and the interest is there, then, of course, I’m going to come out and do that matchup. It doesn’t matter if it’s David vs. Goliath. It can be whatever it needs to be. But if the people want this, the people will get it.”
Listen to Colby Covington’s thoughts on a potential Khamzat Chimaev match on the RAF mats and more in the video below.