Belal Muhammad fight vs Colby Covington scrapped after explosive press conference

Belal Muhammad and Colby Covington’s RAF 12 matchup collapses just one day after announcement

Belal Muhammad’s scheduled RAF 12 main event against Colby Covington is off after a chaotic press conference at RAF 11 on Tuesday. The fight was booked for Aug. 22 before Covington pulled the plug, citing Muhammad’s conduct during the face-off.

What happened at the RAF 11 press conference?

The meltdown started when Muhammad threw a kick at Covington during the RAF 11 presser. Security stepped in fast to separate the pair before things spiraled further. Covington later told Submission Radio that Muhammad’s actions proved he couldn’t be trusted to stay professional.

“He stands up and throws a soccer kick at me and runs across the stage to try to attack me,” Covington said. “It’s just disgusting. There’s no professionalism on his side.”

Why it matters for Belal Muhammad

The collapse leaves Muhammad without a high-profile grappling match and raises questions about his next steps. Covington framed the cancellation as a direct response to Muhammad’s behavior, not the matchup itself. That framing could shape future bookings for Muhammad, who remains a top-tier welterweight in MMA circles.

Muhammad has not publicly addressed Covington’s claims. His team has yet to outline alternative plans for the Aug. 22 slot.

What comes next for Covington and the RAF title

Covington is now pivoting away from Muhammad. He’s open to defending his RAF title in a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan. Other names floated for the cage include Michael Chandler, Tyron Woodley, Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman.

The RAF 12 card is now in flux. Organizers must reshuffle bouts less than 48 hours after the Covington-Muhammad fight was announced. No replacement headliner has been confirmed as of Wednesday morning.