{
  "id": 19140948,
  "title": "RAF Abu Dhabi: Khamzat Chimaev gets new opponent after Colby Covington pulls out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/raf-abu-dhabi-khamzat-chimaev-gets-new-opponent-after-colby-covington",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T10:59:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2026/11/09/raf-abu-dhabi-khamzat-chimaev-gets-new-opponent-after-colby-covington-pulls-out/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Khamzat Chimaev, the former UFC middleweight champion, will face a new opponent at the main event of RAF Abu Dhabi. Due to Colby Covington's injury, Chris Weidman, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and former UFC middleweight champion, will take on Chimaev for the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship. Weidman, who last competed in the RAF three years ago, expressed his excitement about the fight, stating that wrestling has always been a significant part of his life and that competing against Chimaev makes it even more thrilling. Chimaev, who also has a perfect wrestling record, will defend the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship for the first time in his career.",
  "summary": "Khamzat Chimaev will face a new opponent in the main event of RAF Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Chimaev was due to face Colby Covington for the American's Cruiserweight Crossover Championship in the headline bout at Etihad Arena. However, the American has been forced to withdraw due to injury and will be replaced by former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. As such, Chimaev and Weidman will…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}