RAF Abu Dhabi takes place this Saturday, November 14, at Etihad Arena. The main event is a light heavyweight crossover championship match between Khamzat Chimaev and Chris Weidman. Chimaev is 3-0 in RAF and has beaten Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, and Robbie Lawler. He was first set to face Colby Covington for the cruiserweight crossover title. But Covington pulled out on Monday. Weidman stepped in. He is 0-1 in RAF after a close 5-4 loss to Covington in May. Weidman is a former NCAA Division I All-American and famously ended Anderson Silva’s UFC middleweight title run in 2013.
The show starts at 11 a.m. ET. In the United States, it streams on FOX Nation. Viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can watch on STARZPLAY. The rest of the world can watch on RAF’s YouTube channel.
The co-main event is a catchweight non-title bout. RAF middleweight crossover champion Arman Tsarukyan faces former Bellator contender Neiman Gracie. Retired UFC contender Zabit Magomedsharipov returns against featherweight veteran Giga Chikadze. UFC stars Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov also compete. Dvalishvili faces Marlon Moraes. Nurmagomedov faces Urijah Faber.
The card also has several elite freestyle wrestlers in title matches. Kyle Dake defends his RAF cruiserweight title against Alp Arslan Begenjov. Kyle Snyder faces Shamil Erdogan for the RAF light heavyweight championship. Kennedy Blades defends her RAF middleweight belt against Bella Mir, the daughter of UFC legend Frank Mir.
The rest of the card includes Abdulrashid Sadulaev versus Dauren Kurugliev at light heavyweight. Jordan Burroughs meets Azamat Nurykau at middleweight. Murtaza Talha faces Osama Elsaidy in a light heavyweight crossover. Diana Avsaragova takes on Julianna Peña in a middleweight crossover. Zahid Valencia faces Khidir Saipudinov at cruiserweight.
Chris Weidman Warns Khamzat Chimaev Ahead of RAF Abu Dhabi: “I’m His Hardest Match”
Chris Weidman has a message for Khamzat Chimaev. He says he will be the toughest opponent Chimaev has ever faced. Weidman got the call to replace Colby Covington in the main event at RAF Abu Dhabi this Saturday. Covington pulled out with an injury on Monday.
Weidman spoke on the Deep Waters show. He called Chimaev “a beast” and a great wrestler. But he said it would be a mistake for Chimaev to underestimate him. Weidman said, “I think I’m his hardest match he’s ever had with grappling and wrestling.” He added that he has never been thrown around by anyone in wrestling, jiu-jitsu, grappling, the gym, or a fight in his life. He said it is still very hard to have your way with him. He promised, “We’ll find out how great Chimaev’s wrestling really is in this match.”
Weidman is a two-time NCAA Division I All-American. He retired from pro MMA in January 2025. He has competed once in RAF, losing to Covington at RAF 9 in May. He was supposed to work for the UFC this Saturday as part of the post-fight analysis team at UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden. But he said the offer to fly to Abu Dhabi was too good to turn down. He said, “RAF calls; the money looks good. I’m like, I’ve got to do it.”
Weidman made history in 2013 when he beat Anderson Silva to end Silva’s long UFC middleweight title reign. He defended the belt three times after that. He now faces Chimaev, another former UFC middleweight champion. Chimaev is an elite freestyle wrestler. He has won all 27 of his matches, three of them in RAF. Chimaev was made a UAE citizen in 2025. He has been competing in RAF since losing his UFC middleweight title in May.
When asked about his strategy, Weidman said, “I’ll just take him down and attack him, really. They’re going to be hand-fighting heavily, that’s for sure. I don’t know what the hell’s going to happen.”
FAQs
Q. When and where will RAF Abu Dhabi take place?
A. RAF Abu Dhabi will take place on Saturday, November 14, at Etihad Arena.
Q. Who will headline RAF Abu Dhabi?
A. Khamzat Chimaev will face Chris Weidman in a light heavyweight crossover championship match.
Q. Where can viewers watch RAF Abu Dhabi?
A. US viewers can watch on FOX Nation, fans in the Middle East and North Africa can use STARZPLAY, and the rest of the world can watch on RAF’s YouTube channel.
Q. Who will compete in the co-main event?
A. Arman Tsarukyan will face Neiman Gracie in a catchweight non-title bout.
Q. Which title matches are scheduled for RAF Abu Dhabi?
A. Kyle Dake will defend his cruiserweight title against Alp Arslan Begenjov, Kyle Snyder will face Shamil Erdogan, and Kennedy Blades will defend her middleweight belt against Bella Mir.
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