This is the RAF 13 live blog for Colby Covington vs. Belal Muhammad, who wrestle for the RAF cruiserweight crossover championship this Friday at the Watsoc Center in Miami, Fla.
A former UFC interim welterweight champion, Covington was an NCAA All-American and JUCO national champion in wrestling in college, and earlier this year, “Chaos” retired from MMA so he could compete in RAF full time. With a 3-0 record in RAF, Covington got a chance to wrestle Arman Tsarukyan for the inaugural RAF cruiserweight crossover title, winning 5-3 in a tight contest. Now he’s first title defense comes against a man he feuded with in MMA, though the two never fought.
A former UFC welterweight champion, Muhammad hails from a wrestling background, though not as lauded as Covington, and used those skills throughout his MMA career. Still an active fighter, Muhammad has also been dabbling in RAF, losing his debut against David Carr, but defeating Ben Askren at RAF 11 in July, setting up this grudge match with Covington.
Check out the live blog for Covington vs. Muhammad below.
High potential for this to get ugly. Or, some version of ugly. Covington isn’t gonna go too crazy, because he knows that’s not good for the brand. But probably a scuffle of some kind inbound.
Colby tries to shake before the match but Belal rejects it.
Colby holds the center as they hand-fight and slap at the heads, and Colby’s thumb strays into Belal’s eye early. Break in the action, and Julianna Peña straight up says that was a dirty move from Colby. They are training partners worth noting.
We restart and Colby shoots but Belal defends well. He’s so good defensively and Colby has to abandon it. They continue to tie up and then Colby gets a front headlock. He’s moving Belal back and then goes for a throw! Back points on that turn for Colby as he takes him out of bounds. 4-0 Covington.
Colby after him on the restart. Another headlock and this time he uses it to change levels and Belal has to give up the takedown. Colby tries to tie up the leg lace and go for the turn but Belal defends and we restart. 6-0 Covington.
Nothing happens the remainder of the round.
Belal has to start getting his offense going. He’s on the head early, looking for something but Colby keeps fighting the hands. Now Belal moving for underhooks but no joy. Ref breaks them up and calls for action. Belal coming forward and that’s muting Colby’s offense.
They start saying something to each other and the referee stops them again. This time he puts Belal on the shot clock. And Belal pushes into a double leg, but Colby sprawls and then gets the go behind to get to the back for two points. Colby tries to get a gut wrench but Belal defends by crawling out. 9-0 Belal.
Because Belal fled the mat, the restart in partier, but Belal still has the shot clock on, with just 2 seconds left. This is functionally over. The restart happens and Colby tries to grab a gut wrench but it doesn’t matter. Time runs out, point for Colby, and that’s the tech fall.
Colby Covington def. Belal Muhammad via tech fall (10-0)
After the match, Belal and Colby have words. Not sure what they’re saying, but Belal seems to still be a little salty, but not rude about it. Just not hugging it out.
Covington then goes and speaks to Chael Sonnen, and shouts out the first responders from 9/11. He then talks about possible future opponents, including Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev before reverting to old Colby, talking about the “mamacitas” at Eleven, where he’s having his afterparty.
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