Khamzat Chimaev Vows To ‘Humble American Boy’ Colby Covington in Next RAF Event

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev turns his attention towards polarizing fighter Colby Covington with an interesting stipulation.

Khamzat Chimaev Vows To ‘Humble American Boy’ Colby Covington in Next RAF Event

Khamzat Chimaev calls Colby Covington for RAF match (via Instagram, UFC)

In Short
  • Khamzat Chimaev has publicly called out Colby Covington for a potential matchup at the next RAF event.
  • Chimaev remains undefeated in the UFC, showcasing dominant grappling skills and control in fights.
  • The rivalry between Chimaev and Covington has intensified, fueled by past criticisms and ongoing tensions.

Real American Freestyle has grown into a key player in combat sports, consistently producing high‑level events with top talent. Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has already demonstrated his skills in front of a large live audience at RAF 05. UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has now turned his attention to RAF, publicly calling out Covington for a potential matchup.

Chimaev is one of the most dominant wrestlers and grapplers in the UFC, combining a 6’2″ frame with a Chechen wrestling background and extensive grappling experience. His skillset has helped him remain undefeated, consistently controlling opponents. At UFC 319 against Dricus Du Plessis, the Chechen star maintained nearly 22 minutes of control time and landed 529 strikes, the most ever in a UFC fight.

Tension between Chimaev and Covington has been ongoing, with Covington previously calling out the Chechen star. Covington has also criticized Chimaev’s crypto and NFT ventures, labeling them as scams. This ongoing bitterness has kept the two fighters at odds, creating a persistent rivalry within the combat sports world. The animosity between them has contributed to ‘Borz’s recent callout of Covington.

Next RAF I will make American boy humble again colbiclown let’s go.

Khamzat Chimaev via X

Covington has already competed under the Real American Freestyle promotion, headlining RAF 05 in Sunrise, Florida, at Amerant Bank Arena. He faced former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in a wrestling match, winning decisively via a 12‑0 technical fall. Covington, a former NCAA Division I wrestler with an extensive amateur wrestling career, used his grappling expertise to dominate the bout.

Covington was present at RAF 06, where Georgio Poullas had a brawl with UFC lightweight contender and Chimaev’s teammate Arman Tsarukyan. Covington escorted Poullas out of the area after the altercation, helping prevent further escalation. Chimaev was seen enjoying the moment, watching Tsarukyan land strikes on Poullas following his victory and showing clear approval of his teammate’s performance.

The rivalry between Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington extends beyond online exchanges. Covington’s polarizing personality has drawn ‘Borz’s attention, and he has claimed that Chimaev ducked him. These accusations have triggered heated rants from Chimaev whenever ‘Chaos’ called him out, highlighting the depth of their rivalry. The prospect of a direct showdown remains highly anticipated.

Khamzat Chimaev hints at first middleweight title defense

Khamzat Chimaev will undergo surgery to address a foot injury, delaying his first UFC middleweight title defence. The procedure is expected to postpone his return until after Ramadan 2026, affecting previously targeted fights with top contenders such as Nassourdine Imavov. This recovery period has become a key factor in scheduling his next sanctioned UFC bout, while Chimaev continues limited training.

Khamzat Chimaev talks about why he is not fighting
Khamzat Chimaev talks about why he is not fighting (via MMA Mania)

Sean Strickland made his mark in the middleweight title discussion with a third‑round TKO over Anthony Hernandez, ending the rising contender’s eight‑fight win streak. The win placed Strickland in contention for a fight against Chimaev. After Chimaev’s RAF callout of Colby Covington, fans questioned if his injury had healed, and Chimaev clarified he is focused on recovery and a potential bout against Strickland.

No I waiting for strikiland.

Khamzat Chimaev via X

The tension between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland stems from a rivalry that has been brewing since their time as teammates. Strickland previously criticized Chimaev for his association with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a remark ‘Borz’ did not take lightly. The Chechen champion has called out Strickland multiple times, keeping the animosity alive and raising the possibility of a potential clash.

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