Khamzat Chimaev continued his impressive run in Real American Freestyle (RAF), dominating former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler before issuing a chilling warning to Colby Covington ahead of their upcoming wrestling showdown.
Chimaev defeated Lawler by technical fall in the first period of their catchweight crossover contest at RAF 14 in Las Vegas on Friday, October 23. The Russian-born fighter controlled the match from the opening exchanges, using his wrestling pressure and powerful turns to secure a decisive victory.
Following the win, Chimaev shifted his attention to Covington, who is scheduled to face him in the main event of RAF’s upcoming Abu Dhabi event on November 14. The middleweight UFC champion made his intentions clear, promising to inflict damage on his next opponent as their rivalry continues to build.
Khamzat Chimaev overwhelms Robbie Lawler
Chimaev wasted little time establishing his superiority against Lawler. The former UFC champion struggled to cope with the speed, strength and positional control of the undefeated middleweight.
Chimaev secured an early takedown before using a series of gut-wrench turns to extend his lead. His ability to repeatedly control Lawler’s body and rotate him across the mat left the American with few opportunities to respond.
The score quickly moved beyond Lawler’s reach as Chimaev continued to collect points. The match ended by technical fall during the opening period, with Lawler unable to register a point. The official RAF results recorded an 11-0 technical-fall victory for Chimaev at 1:40 of the first period.
The performance further strengthened Chimaev’s reputation as one of the most physically dominant crossover competitors in the promotion. His wrestling background has translated effectively to RAF, where his pressure and ability to secure repeated turns have proved difficult for opponents to handle.
Lawler, a former UFC welterweight champion known for his toughness and aggressive fighting style, was unable to find a way into the contest. However, the result should be viewed in the context of freestyle wrestling rather than MMA, where the rules and tactical demands are different.
Chimaev sends brutal warning to Colby Covington
After dispatching Lawler, Chimaev immediately turned his attention to Covington. The two are scheduled to meet at RAF’s November 14 event in Abu Dhabi, with the contest billed as a crossover championship main event. Their matchup has attracted considerable attention because both fighters have extensive wrestling backgrounds and established reputations in mixed martial arts.
Chimaev made his intentions clear when discussing the upcoming contest.
Happy to finally get this guy and break his neck, – Chimaev said, referring to Covington.
The comment added fuel to an already intense matchup. Chimaev has repeatedly expressed confidence in his wrestling ability, and his performance against Lawler provided another demonstration of the pressure he can generate on the mat.
Covington, however, should not be underestimated. The former UFC interim welterweight champion built much of his MMA career around relentless wrestling, conditioning and the ability to maintain a demanding pace over multiple rounds.
Their RAF meeting will provide a different test from their respective UFC careers. Rather than combining striking, submissions and wrestling, the contest will focus on wrestling under the promotion’s rules.
Chimaev’s latest victory gives him momentum heading into the matchup, but Covington represents a more experienced freestyle wrestling opponent than Lawler in the context of their upcoming crossover contest.
How much did Khamzat Chimaev earn at RAF 14?
The exact amount Chimaev earned for his appearance at RAF 14 has not been publicly confirmed. Neither an official purse figure nor a verified breakdown of his payment for the Lawler match was available in the reports reviewed. Consequently, it would be inaccurate to claim that Chimaev earned a specific amount from the contest.
RAF has attracted prominent athletes with substantial compensation packages. Reporting on the promotion has suggested that some established fighters can earn six-figure sums for appearances, but that does not confirm Chimaev’s individual payment. His earnings could also depend on contractual terms, appearance fees, performance incentives or other arrangements that have not been disclosed publicly.
Chimaev is an established UFC champion, making him a major name for a wrestling promotion seeking to attract mainstream combat-sports attention. Nevertheless, his profile alone cannot establish the amount he received for RAF 14.
Confirmed earnings from the Lawler match: Not publicly disclosed.
Any specific dollar figure circulating without reliable documentation should therefore be treated as an estimate or rumour rather than confirmed fighter pay.
What comes next for Khamzat Chimaev?
Chimaev’s attention now turns to Covington and their scheduled November 14 showdown in Abu Dhabi.
The matchup offers both men an opportunity to establish themselves in RAF’s crossover competition. Chimaev will attempt to carry the momentum from his dominant performance against Lawler into another high-profile contest, while Covington will look to use his own wrestling experience to disrupt the favourite.
The contest is also part of RAF’s broader strategy of bringing established MMA fighters into wrestling matchups. These events allow competitors to showcase a different aspect of their skill sets while creating rivalries that attract audiences beyond traditional wrestling.
For Chimaev, the Lawler victory delivered another statement performance. His ability to impose his strength and positional control was evident throughout the brief contest, and his post-match warning ensured that attention quickly shifted to his next opponent.
However, the challenge against Covington could be more competitive. Covington has extensive wrestling experience of his own, and the November contest will reveal whether Chimaev can reproduce the same level of dominance against another accomplished grappler.
For now, Chimaev leaves RAF 14 with a decisive win and a clear message for Covington. The next chapter of their rivalry will unfold in Abu Dhabi, where the two former UFC stars are scheduled to meet in a wrestling contest.
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