RAF09

NOTES

CORRECTION 2026-05-12: Earlier reporting had Chimaev booked for RAF 9 — this was incorrect. Chimaev is confirmed for RAF 10 June 13 vs Dillon Danis (see RAF 10 entry). Original card details: Gable Steveson debut vs Alexandr Romanov (multi-match deal); Olympic gold medalist wrestler, 3-0 MMA, 25yo, under Jon Jones mentorship. UFC SIGNING CONFIRMED — UFC 329 debut July 11 (same card as McGregor return). Covington vs Weidman ORIGINALLY booked. UPDATE Apr 18: Post-RAF 8, Tsarukyan called out Covington cageside; Covington accepted on mic and said he'd skip Weidman. UPDATE Apr 19: UFC REJECTED the Tsarukyan-Covington swap (no UFC-vs-UFC policy, same rule that has blocked every prior Tsarukyan match attempt). Weidman vs Covington is CONFIRMED BACK ON for May 30 alongside Steveson vs Romanov. Fifth active UFC-vs-UFC RAF match killed by UFC. UPDATE Apr 27-29: TWO MAJOR ADDITIONS — (1) Tsarukyan vs Keelon "Mugzy" Jimison at 175lb — his FIFTH RAF match in 5 months (after Palmer, Poullas ×2, Mokaev, Faber). (2) Reigning UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (21-5-0) vs UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar (23-11-1, 44yo, four-time NCAA qualifier from Clarion, currently at Rutgers wrestling room). Dvalishvili's first wrestling-only outing since silver at 2019 World Sambo Championships; was originally booked vs Cejudo at RAF 8 before Cejudo's pre-fight withdrawal. Card now has 4 sitting/ex-UFC champions plus a reigning champ on one night. FOX Nation. UPDATE Apr 30: Dvalishvili confirmed R