{
  "id": 19143351,
  "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-19143351",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-09T10:59:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "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 now face Chris Weidman in the main event of RAF Abu Dhabi, following Colby Covington's withdrawal due to injury. Weidman, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, will defend the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship against Chimaev. Weidman, who made history in 2013 by ending Anderson Silva's UFC middleweight title reign, expressed excitement about competing in Abu Dhabi for the first time. Chimaev, a two-time UFC middleweight champion, dropped his title to Sean Strickland in May, marking his first loss in a 16-fight pro MMA career. The UFC star, known for his perfect wrestling record, will compete for the first time with RAF wrestling in the Middle East.",
  "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."
}