Covington Has RAF 12 Backup Plan

Colby Covington’s proposed Real American Freestyle meeting with Belal Muhammad remains uncertain, but RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein says Covington is still scheduled to compete at RAF 12 in Cleveland on August 22. The event was set to feature the two former UFC titleholders after a confrontation at the RAF 11 press conference. Their matchup quickly drew attention, only for Covington to publicly say that it was no longer happening. Bronstein described that claim as both right and wrong while the promotion works through whether Muhammad can still take part.

The immediate issue is not whether RAF has a slot for Covington. Bronstein said that Covington will wrestle in Cleveland regardless of the final decision on Muhammad. The question is who will stand across from him. RAF expects to know within the next few days whether the original matchup can remain on the RAF 12 card. If it cannot, the promotion intends to use an alternate opponent in Cleveland and revisit Covington versus Muhammad for RAF 13 in Miami in September. That approach keeps the announced rivalry alive without leaving Covington off the next event.

Bronstein names Brendan Allen as replacement

Bronstein identified Brendan Allen as the fighter prepared to replace Muhammad should the original RAF 12 matchup fall through. His explanation was direct: Covington would compete in Cleveland, and Allen would be the opponent if Muhammad could not wrestle there. Bronstein also said that, in that scenario, Muhammad would wrestle in Miami at RAF 13 instead. The promotion has therefore outlined a clear contingency rather than waiting until the last moment to decide whether Covington will appear. The possible Allen booking would connect two athletes with an established relationship. Bronstein noted that Muhammad and Allen are friends, describing that as a positive element in the situation. The replacement is not framed as a settled change, however. Bronstein emphasized that Muhammad remained set for the Cleveland event at the time of his comments. Allen becomes relevant only if Muhammad cannot compete at RAF 12, with the original Covington-Muhammad matchup then moving to the September card.

The uncertainty follows a rapid sequence around Covington’s RAF schedule. He had been announced against Muhammad after defeating Arman Tsarukyan to win the inaugural crossover championship. The two then built attention for their clash before Covington said publicly that it was off. A separate account from MMA News reported that Covington told Submission Radio he had made the decision to shelve the matchup after the RAF 11 press-conference brawl. Bronstein’s comments leave the door open to a different outcome, saying the promotion still needed to determine whether the Cleveland bout could proceed.

Allen’s preparation offers relevant background

Allen has previously explained the impact Muhammad has had on his training. Speaking to Home of Fight in 2025, Allen said Muhammad had helped him in many ways as he continued to develop. Allen specifically pointed to takedown defense as an area he was working to improve and said Muhammad had helped provide a team during a period when Allen needed to move gyms to prepare for Reinier de Ridder. That background does not answer whether Allen will be needed for RAF 12, but it gives context to Bronstein’s proposed replacement. If the switch is made, Allen would be stepping into a grappling contest with Covington rather than replacing Muhammad in a UFC bout. The confirmed plan from Bronstein is narrower than the speculation around the feud: RAF has an alternate available, Covington is expected to wrestle in Cleveland, and the Muhammad matchup could be shifted to Miami if necessary.

• RAF 12 is scheduled for Cleveland on August 22, and Bronstein said Covington will wrestle on that card regardless of Muhammad’s availability.
• If Muhammad cannot compete in Cleveland, Bronstein said Brendan Allen will face Covington and Muhammad would wrestle in Miami at RAF 13.

For now, the central development is RAF’s backup plan rather than a confirmed opponent change. Bronstein said Muhammad was still set for the Cleveland card while acknowledging that the promotion would soon decide whether the match could happen. Covington’s appearance is the part presented as certain in Bronstein’s account. Allen is the named replacement if the grudge match cannot be finalized for August 22, while a September meeting in Miami remains the proposed destination for Covington and Muhammad if Cleveland does not work out.