{
  "id": 19441252,
  "title": "RAF Abu Dhabi: Chris Weidman challenges Khamzat Chimaev - 'We'll find out how great his wrestling is'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/raf-abu-dhabi-chris-weidman-challenges-khamzat-chimaev-well-find-out",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-11T03:48:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2026/11/11/raf-abu-dhabi-chris-weidman-challenges-khamzat-chimaev-well-find-out-how-great-his-wrestling-is/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chris Weidman has cautioned Khamzat Chimaev that the main event at RAF Abu Dhabi will be his most formidable challenge to date. The 42-year-old, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, stepped in to replace injured Colby Covington after the UFC fighter pulled out due to injury. Weidman, speaking on Deep Waters, described Chimaev as a \"beast\" but emphasized that it would be unwise for the UAE grappler to underestimate him. \"I think I'm his hardest match he's ever had with grappling and wrestling,\" Weidman stated. The UFC veteran, who last competed in the RAF back in May, has never been thrown around in wrestling, jiu-jitsu, or grappling. Weidman, who had been scheduled to work for the UFC alongside Dustin Poirier at UFC 334, opted to face Chimaev in Abu Dhabi, citing the opportunity as too appealing to pass up. Weidman plans to take Chimaev down and attack him, predicting an intense hand-fight.",
  "summary": "Chris Weidman has warned Khamzat Chimaev that he will be the \"hardest match he's ever had\" after getting the call to replace Colby Covington at RAF Abu Dhabi. Weidman, 42, has stepped in to face Chimaev in the main event at Etihad Arena this Saturday after organisers confirmed on Monday that Covington had pulled out injured . It is Real American Freestyle wrestling's first event in the Middle…",
  "key_points": [
    "Chris Weidman replaces injured Colby Covington for main event",
    "Khamzat Chimaev considers Weidman his toughest grappling challenge",
    "Weidman plans to take Chimaev down and attack in Abu Dhabi"
  ],
  "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."
}