Ali Akbar Rosady
Veteran combatant Colby Covington has offered a scathing assessment of Khamzat Chimaev’s first professional defeat, characterising the middleweight’s performance against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 as indicative of a deeper character flaw rather than mere physical ailment. Chimaev, previously undefeated across his mixed martial arts career, relinquished his middleweight championship and his pristine record in a split decision loss to Strickland in the main event of UFC 328, an event that took place in May at a yet-to-be-disclosed venue.
Sean Strickland, who entered the contest as a significant underdog, defied expectations by outlasting Chimaev in what developed into a primarily striking-focused bout. Despite a tentative start, Strickland gradually asserted control, ultimately securing a victory that cemented him as a two-time UFC champion. The aftermath of the fight saw considerable discussion regarding Chimaev’s perceived underperformance, with many attributing it to a purportedly difficult weight cut leading up to the championship contest.
However, Covington, known for his provocative commentary and unyielding self-belief, dismisses the weight cut narrative as an insufficient explanation. Speaking on Submission Radio, Covington posited that Chimaev’s struggles were rooted in a lack of mental fortitude rather than physiological challenges. "It was a weird fight," Covington stated. "He started making all those excuses for the weight cut. It’s like, bro, you already went up a weight class. It’s not the weight cut, it’s a discipline cut. It’s a mental type of cut. You’re cut from a different cloth. You could see he kind of has that quitter in him."
Covington’s critique extends beyond general observations, pinpointing a specific moment in the fight he believes exposed Chimaev’s alleged mental weakness. "Like, what was he doing, pulling guard in the second round? I could never imagine just accepting guard and pulling guard," Covington remarked, suggesting this tactical decision was an act of surrender. "That’s where girls are supposed to be, girls are supposed to be on the bottom and the guys come on top and missionary, it was just weird to see him pulling guard so easily. So I don’t know, I think he’s mentally weak and that’s why I’ve always been excited to compete against him because people that I compete against that aren’t mentally strong there, I’m going to expose them every time."
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Context of UFC 328 and Chimaev’s Rise
Khamzat Chimaev (13-1-0 MMA record) had enjoyed a meteoric rise through the UFC ranks since his debut in 2020. Known for his aggressive, grappling-heavy style and relentless pressure, "Borz" quickly amassed a string of dominant victories, often finishing opponents within the first round. His ability to compete effectively across both welterweight and middleweight divisions underscored his versatility and physical prowess. Prior to facing Strickland, Chimaev had defeated former welterweight title challenger Kamaru Usman at UFC 324, securing his shot at the middleweight strap. This victory had extended his undefeated streak and cemented his reputation as one of the most feared contenders in the sport.
Sean Strickland (29-6-0 MMA record), on the other hand, had a more circuitous route to the middleweight title. A durable and unconventional striker, Strickland had previously held the UFC middleweight championship, losing it to Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 before reclaiming it from Chimaev. His fighting style, characterised by a high volume of jabs and an iron will, proved effective against Chimaev’s dynamic, yet sometimes undisciplined, approach. The pre-fight betting odds had heavily favored Chimaev, reflecting the widespread belief in his invincibility and superior skill set. The judges’ scorecards (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) highlighted the intensely competitive nature of the five-round championship bout, ultimately falling in Strickland’s favor.
The discussion surrounding Chimaev’s weight cut for UFC 328 echoed previous challenges he faced, notably his much-publicised struggle to make weight for his scheduled welterweight bout against Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in September 2022. That incident led to a significant reshuffling of the card and raised questions about his long-term viability in the welterweight division, prompting a more permanent move to middleweight. While Chimaev’s team and some analysts suggested that the strenuous cut might have sapped his energy reserves for the Strickland fight, Covington’s stance is that such issues are indicative of a deeper mental or disciplinary failing rather than an insurmountable physical hurdle.
Covington’s Background and Transition to Real American Freestyle (RAF)
Colby Covington (17-4-0 MMA record), a former interim UFC welterweight champion, has carved out a controversial but successful career built on an elite wrestling background, relentless cardio, and a polarizing persona. Known as "Chaos," Covington’s fighting style is predicated on overwhelming opponents with volume striking and stifling wrestling pressure, earning him the moniker "Cardio King." His professional career has seen him challenge for the undisputed UFC welterweight title on multiple occasions, engaging in high-profile rivalries with figures such as Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal.
Recently, both Covington and Chimaev have transitioned from the UFC to the burgeoning combat sports promotion, Real American Freestyle (RAF). RAF appears to be carving a niche in the combat sports landscape, focusing on high-level wrestling matches and attracting prominent athletes from the mixed martial arts world. This shift has opened up new avenues for potential matchups, including the one Covington envisions with Chimaev.
Upcoming RAF Events and Potential Confrontation
The proximity of Covington and Chimaev this week could set the stage for a significant confrontation, given their current standings within RAF. Chimaev is slated to headline RAF 10 this Saturday in St. Louis, where he is scheduled to face Dillon Danis in a highly anticipated wrestling match. Concurrently, Covington is confirmed to be in attendance at RAF 10. Following this event, Covington is set to compete at RAF 11 on July 18, where he will face Arman Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan, who also competes at RAF 10 this Saturday, is notably a training partner of Khamzat Chimaev, further escalating the potential for interaction between the two camps.
Covington has openly expressed his anticipation for a direct encounter with Chimaev, eager to convey his strong opinions face-to-face. He sees a potential wrestling match with Chimaev under the RAF banner as an ideal opportunity to exploit what he perceives as Chimaev’s mental vulnerabilities. "I see a lot of weaknesses," Covington elaborated. "I see a clear path to victory and a game plan and strategy that can be implemented. So, I’m the perfect person to implement it and I think I can definitely break him. Three two-minute rounds in a wrestling match, I’m coming out and giving you the kitchen sink and some. I don’t know, he might make it through around two minutes through Round 1, but Round 2 and 3 is when I come on strongest, so I do see that I can expose him there."
The format of Real American Freestyle wrestling matches, typically consisting of three two-minute rounds, plays directly into Covington’s strengths as an athlete renowned for his exceptional conditioning and relentless pace. His confidence stems from a belief that his superior cardio and mental toughness would allow him to outwork and ultimately "break" Chimaev over the course of a six-minute contest.
Covington anticipates a charged atmosphere at RAF 10, acknowledging the likelihood of a hostile environment. However, he remains unfazed, citing the promotion’s security measures. "It will probably be a hostile type of situation and environment, but luckily Real American Freestyle employs some of the best security guards on planet Earth," Covington stated. "So I’m not worried. We’ll settle our business with ‘C*mshot’ on the Real American Freestyle mat." He did not shy away from using a derogatory nickname for Chimaev, a tactic he has frequently employed throughout his career to antagonize opponents.
"Absolutely, I’m going to let him know," Covington continued, reinforcing his intention to confront Chimaev. "You couldn’t even handle Sean Strickland and he’s gassing out in these matchups with some of these guys. It’s going to be 10 times worse for him on the Real American Freestyle mat with me, with raw American steel and twisted sex appeal. So I’m going to let him know straight to his face that he comes and crosses the cardio king and he’s going to get broken in six minutes."
The upcoming RAF events, particularly with the overlapping presence of Covington, Chimaev, and Chimaev’s training partner Arman Tsarukyan, are poised to be flashpoints for further verbal exchanges, potentially paving the way for a highly anticipated wrestling showdown between Covington and Chimaev in the near future. The narratives surrounding Chimaev’s first loss and Covington’s relentless pursuit of a clash with "Borz" are set to define a significant chapter in the nascent history of Real American Freestyle.
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