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“I Would Break Khamzat Chimaev”: Colby Covington Predicts Wrestling Win
Colby Covington says he would “break” Khamzat Chimaev in a wrestling match, pointing to cardio as the deciding factor if their long-discussed rivalry reaches the Real American Freestyle mats. The matchup has interest, but it is not official, and Covington has set a 185-pound limit for any meeting.
Colby Covington is ready to test Khamzat Chimaev in a wrestling match, and he believes pace would decide it. “I think I would break Khamzat,” Covington told Submission Radio. “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.”
The comment arrives after a busy stretch for both former UFC rivals in Real American Freestyle. Covington defended his RAF cruiserweight crossover title against Belal Muhammad at RAF 13 in Coral Gables, Florida, winning by 10-0 technical fall.
Colby Covington Says Khamzat Chimaev Would Fold Under His Wrestling Pace
The result moved him to 5-0 in the promotion. Chimaev beat Gilbert Burns on the same card, taking his RAF record to 3-0. Their history in MMA has produced years of online back-and-forth, though they never shared the UFC cage. Covington had competed at welterweight, while Chimaev began his UFC run at 170 pounds before establishing himself at middleweight. That division change helped prevent the UFC fight from coming together.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 14: Colby Covington looks on against Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on December 14, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Covington has made clear that he will not accept a larger catchweight to face Chimaev. He wants the contest at 185 pounds, which matches Chimaev’s current UFC division. “I’m not going to accommodate his weight,” Covington said earlier this month. “Like 185, I think that’s a fair weight class, you know, what he fights in the UFC.”
Covington said he generally weighs around 188 or 189 pounds when stepping on the scale and does not want to give up a major size advantage at a weight in the 200s. That creates a possible hurdle. Covington has competed at 200 pounds in RAF before, beating Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold, but says his status as champion means he has more say over the terms now. A Chimaev match would need agreement from both camps before it can be booked.
(Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Chimaev raised eyebrows before RAF 13 when he suggested an Abu Dhabi wrestling match with Covington could happen. No official fight announcement followed, and Covington’s 185-pound requirement remains part of the discussion.
A Covington-Chimaev contest would bring a familiar MMA grudge into a ruleset designed around wrestling exchanges, positioning, turns and exposure rather than strikes or submissions. Covington’s claim rests on his ability to keep a high work rate from start to finish. Chimaev’s answer may have to come on the mat.
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.”… pic.twitter.com/C8HfoFQjM8
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 21, 2026