Khamzat Chimaev fights Robbie Lawler in the co-main event of RAF 14 this Friday. However, he is already looking ahead to next month, when he challenges Colby Covington for the RAF Cruiserweight Crossover title.
Chimaev recently escalated their long-standing rivalry by issuing a blunt warning to Covington ahead of their championship bout. But during Wednesday’s press conference, their war of words took an unexpectedly dark turn that shocked everyone in attendance.
Khamzat Chimaev Warns Colby Covington Before Abu Dhabi Trip
Chimaev challenges the 38-year-old Covington on Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena, headlining RAF’s first Middle East show. Both men are undefeated in Real American Freestyle. Their bad blood traces back to the UFC, where the promotion spent over a year trying to book them in a top-contender match, but the booking never materialized.
During a recent media session, a reporter asked Chimaev what competing in Abu Dhabi meant to him. “Borz” used the opportunity to threaten physical harm, claiming the champion is dreading the trip to the UAE, where Chimaev trains.
“It means I can break his neck,” Chimaev said. “Find the guy there. I know he’s not happy to come over there, so he will need an ambulance to send him back.”
Khamzat Chimaev sends a chilling warning to Colby Covington ahead of their RAF match in Abu Dhabi:
“It means I can break his neck. … He will need an ambulance to send him back.” https://t.co/WBVXwV2lL1
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 22, 2026
Covington captured the inaugural cruiserweight belt by beating Arman Tsarukyan on points at RAF 11 in July. He secured his first defense by shutting out Belal Muhammad with a 10-0 technical fall at RAF 13 in September. Meanwhile, Chimaev earned his title shot after pinning Dillon Danis in just 44 seconds at RAF 10 back in June.
The championship match came together after rumors emerged that Covington and Sean Strickland clashed over a weight limit for the Las Vegas card. While reports claimed Covington refused to move up to Strickland’s requested 200-pound catchweight, Covington quickly fired back on social media to deny the rumors. He called the report “fake news” and stated he would wrestle Strickland at any weight he wanted.
Fake news. I’ll wrestle @sstricklandmma at any weight he wants October 23rd @RAFWrestlingUSA in Las Vegas. Book it @ChadBronstein @IzzyStyle @EBischoff 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) September 30, 2026
When that matchup fell through, RAF turned to Chimaev. Covington had previously demanded that Chimaev cut down to 185 pounds so the champion wouldn’t lose his size advantage. The promotion, however, settled the dispute by keeping the title bout at the official 190-pound cruiserweight limit.
“Chaos” also mocked Chimaev’s cardio and past health struggles, stating, “I think I would break Khamzat. He doesn’t have the cardio to keep up with me. He has those quitter tendencies. I will bring those quitter tendencies out of him…”
Colby Covington believes he would break Khamzat Chimaev in a potential wrestling match.
“I think I would break Khamzat. He doesn’t have the cardio to keep up with me. He has those quitter tendencies. I will bring those quitter tendencies out of him if that’s the next matchup.”
Via @SubmissionRadio
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 21, 2026
Chimaev will enter the November card as the hometown favorite because he lives and trains in the UAE. Covington’s non-stop pace against Chimaev’s explosive early finishes will decide who controls the mat at Etihad Arena.
