Khamzat Chimaev calls out Colby Covington for wrestling match while waiting for ex-champion in UFC
MMA Fighting
March 1, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Khamzat Chimaev has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging Colby Covington to a wrestling match in the next RAF event on March 28 in Tampa, Fla., while waiting for his UFC middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland. Known for his grappling prowess, Chimaev responded to Covington's callout during RAF 6, expressing confidence in taking down "Colbiclown." This potential bout highlights both fighters' wrestling pedigrees, with Covington being an All-American wrestler and Chimaev renowned for his freestyle wins.
Chimaev's offer comes amid anticipation for his title defense, as he recently defeated Alex Pereira to claim the belt. Meanwhile, Covington made waves in his RAF debut by shutting out Luke Rockhold. The challenge underscores the growing rivalry between these two fighters, adding excitement to the wrestling world and MMA fans eager for unique matchups.
The bigger picture revolves around Chimaev's anticipated fight with Strickland, who has called him out after an impressive knockout win over Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez. While this proposed wrestling match with Covington is intriguing, it doesn't divert Chimaev from his focus on defending the title against Strickland. This dynamic shifts potential matchups, pushing UFC contender Nassourdine Im
Verticals
sportsmma
Originally published on MMA Fighting on 3/1/2026