Khamzat Chimaev has signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league. This represents an expansion of Chimaev's competitive activities beyond MMA into pure wrestling. The announcement did not specify when his first match will take place or against whom. The post asked fans who they would like to see Chimaev face in a wrestling match. No further details about the terms of the contract were provided.
Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev has added another competitive venture to his resume, signing a contract with the RAF wrestling league, it was announced on April 19, 2026. No details were disclosed regarding when he will make his debut for the organization or who his first opponent will be. The announcement invited fans to weigh in on who they would like to see Chimaev face on the mat.
The move represents a step into pure wrestling competition for the 32-year-old, who has built one of the most dominant records in mixed martial arts. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center and representing the United Arab Emirates, Chimaev currently sits at 15-1-0 and holds the number-one ranking in the middleweight division, with a top-ten position on the pound-for-pound charts. His grappling credentials inside the cage are well established — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that underlines why a wrestling league would pursue his signature. The six-foot-two, 188-centimeter fighter also carries a 75-inch reach and has averaged 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes throughout his career.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's move into organized wrestling broadens his competitive profile beyond MMA while showcasing the grappling base that has defined his fighting style.
- As the number-one-ranked middleweight and a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter, any activity outside the UFC draws significant attention to his overall athletic trajectory.
- No timeline or opponents have been confirmed, leaving the scope of his wrestling involvement unclear for now.
