Chimaev Targets Covington’s Title After RAF 13

Colby Covington (5-0 RAF) and Khamzat Chimaev (3-0 RAF) won their respective matches at the Real American Freestyle 13 event that took place Friday at Watsco Center in Miami, Florida, and appear set to collide at a future show for the American’s crossover cruiserweight title.

Covington, a former Oregon State All-American, dominated the former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (1-2 RAF) at RAF 13, winning by technical fall to move to 5-0 in the promotion, and defend his RAF crossover belt. A four-point front-headlock throw set the tone, and he built a 9-0 lead before a shot-clock point completed the 10-0 technical fall.

Former UFC middleweight champion Chimaev, meanwhile, beat his old UFC rival Gilbert Burns (0-1 RAF) by technical fall, more than four years after his UFC 273 unanimous decision win.

He built an 11-2 first-period lead on takedowns and gut wrenches before a four-point takedown ended it at 15-4 in the second period. Burns scored a couple of takedowns and became the first RAF opponent to take Chimaev past the first period, but was powerless to prevent the finish. Chimaev said after his win that Covington was in his crosshairs.

“He has the belt and I need to beat the best,” Chimaev said.

RAF returns on October 23 with its 14th show, featuring Arman Tsarukuyan vs. Dillon Danis in the main event, and Jordan Burroughs against Michael Caliendo at middleweight, among other matches. RAF 14 takes place in Las Vegas.