RAF refuses to let Covington-Muhammad rivalry fade away
RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein remains confident that a matchup
between Colby
Covington and Belal
Muhammad will come to fruition.
Covington and Muhammad are booked to meet in the co-main event of RAF 12 on Aug. 22 in Cleveland after both earned victories at RAF 11. However, Covington later revealed that he would no longer entertain the matchup after an aggressive exchange at the post-event press conference.
Following the announcement of Covington vs. Muhammad for the next RAF event, the pair collided at the post-event press conference. A war of words quickly escalated before Muhammad threw a kick towards Covington. Security had to intervene to stop the incident from turning into an all-out brawl.
“I thought there was going to be severe trash talk between the two of them,” Bronstein told MMA Fighting. “They don’t like each other. But I didn’t think there was going to be any physicality. As much trash talk as they both do, they’re actually both ultimate professionals.”
In the aftermath of the incident, Covington told Submission Radio that he isn’t keen on the matchup, citing Muhammad’s unprofessionalism at the presser, speculating that the former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion will resort to illegal moves if they were to wrestle. However, Bronstein claims the final decision is ultimately not Covington’s to make.
“Colby is an investor, but at the end of the day, Izzy [Martinez] and myself will make the decision for the matches,” Bronstein said. “He knows that. And two, he’s going to wrestle Belal. The question is, is it going to happen in Cleveland, or is it going to happen in Miami? But he’s definitely wrestling Belal.”
Bronstein added that Covington is expected to compete in Cleveland regardless of Muhammad's status.
“Colby will wrestle in Cleveland no matter what,” Bronstein added. “If Belal doesn’t wrestle in Cleveland, he'll wrestle in Miami. It's going to be Brendan Allen that will step in to compete against Colby in Cleveland. But right now, Belal is still set.”
Covington and Muhammad are booked to meet in the co-main event of RAF 12 on Aug. 22 in Cleveland after both earned victories at RAF 11. However, Covington later revealed that he would no longer entertain the matchup after an aggressive exchange at the post-event press conference.
Real American Freestyle keeps Colby Covington vs. Belal Muhammad alive after controversy
Following the announcement of Covington vs. Muhammad for the next RAF event, the pair collided at the post-event press conference. A war of words quickly escalated before Muhammad threw a kick towards Covington. Security had to intervene to stop the incident from turning into an all-out brawl.
“I thought there was going to be severe trash talk between the two of them,” Bronstein told MMA Fighting. “They don’t like each other. But I didn’t think there was going to be any physicality. As much trash talk as they both do, they’re actually both ultimate professionals.”
In the aftermath of the incident, Covington told Submission Radio that he isn’t keen on the matchup, citing Muhammad’s unprofessionalism at the presser, speculating that the former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion will resort to illegal moves if they were to wrestle. However, Bronstein claims the final decision is ultimately not Covington’s to make.
“Colby is an investor, but at the end of the day, Izzy [Martinez] and myself will make the decision for the matches,” Bronstein said. “He knows that. And two, he’s going to wrestle Belal. The question is, is it going to happen in Cleveland, or is it going to happen in Miami? But he’s definitely wrestling Belal.”
Bronstein added that Covington is expected to compete in Cleveland regardless of Muhammad's status.
“Colby will wrestle in Cleveland no matter what,” Bronstein added. “If Belal doesn’t wrestle in Cleveland, he'll wrestle in Miami. It's going to be Brendan Allen that will step in to compete against Colby in Cleveland. But right now, Belal is still set.”
RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein says the plan is still Colby Covington vs. Belal Muhammad after their brawl at RAF 11:
"He’s going to wrestle Belal. The question is, is it going to happen in Cleveland, or is it going to happen in Miami?"
(🎥: @mikeHeck_JR) pic.twitter.com/xQzJmAFLdD— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 21, 2026
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