Overview
- RAF confirmed Tuesday that Colby Covington will defend the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship against Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena.
- Covington is the reigning RAF cruiserweight crossover champion and is 5-0 in the promotion after winning the belt in July and defending it at RAF 13.
- Chimaev is 3-0 in RAF and is also booked to fight Robbie Lawler at RAF 14 in Las Vegas two weeks before the Abu Dhabi title shot.
- The Abu Dhabi card lists multiple high-profile crossover athletes including Jordan Burroughs, Henry Cejudo, Kyle Snyder and Arman Tsarukyan with opponents to be announced.
- RAF has signed a five-year partnership with Abu Dhabi authorities to host events there and the Nov. 14 date creates an overlap with UFC 334 in New York that could affect scheduling and viewership while keeping Chimaev out of the Octagon for the rest of 2026.