Khamzat Chimaev has signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league. The post does not provide details about the terms of the contract or when Chimaev will compete. RAF appears to be a wrestling promotion separate from MMA competition. The announcement was made on social media with limited additional information. No opponent or date for Chimaev's wrestling debut was mentioned in the post.
Khamzat Chimaev has added a wrestling venture to his competitive portfolio, signing a contract with the RAF wrestling league, according to a social media announcement made on April 19, 2026. No terms were disclosed, and no opponent or debut date was mentioned in the post.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," enters this agreement as one of the most dangerous fighters in MMA. The 32-year-old carries a 15-1-0 professional record and currently sits as the number-one ranked middleweight in the UFC, with a place inside the pound-for-pound top ten at number 10. Born in Chechnya and now representing the United Arab Emirates, he trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden. His MMA numbers reflect a complete, physically dominant style — he lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at an elite 60 percent striking accuracy, while also averaging an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev has long been recognized as a wrestler-first fighter who converts that grappling into serious finishing power inside the cage.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked middleweight, so any activity outside the UFC draws attention to his scheduling and availability for potential title fights.
- The RAF deal appears to be with a standalone wrestling promotion, raising questions about how it fits alongside his MMA commitments.
- His grappling credentials — nearly 5.3 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA — make a foray into competitive wrestling a natural extension of his combat sports background.
