Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league. The announcement confirms Chimaev's involvement in wrestling competition outside of MMA. No specific details were provided about his first opponent or when he will compete. The post asks fans who they would like to see Chimaev face in a wrestling match. This represents Chimaev's expansion into competitive wrestling alongside his MMA career.
Khamzat Chimaev has added another competitive pursuit to his schedule, officially signing a contract with the RAF wrestling league and stepping into organized grappling competition outside of MMA.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," enters the agreement as one of the most decorated fighters in the middleweight division. The 32-year-old holds a 15-1-0 professional record and currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. Representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Stockholm, Chimaev has built his MMA reputation on elite wrestling, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute. That combination of elite grappling and punishing stand-up has made him one of the most feared competitors in the sport. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he brings considerable physical tools to any format of competition.
No details have been announced regarding his first opponent in the league or a timeline for when he will compete. The announcement invited fans to weigh in on who they would like to see Chimaev matched against on the wrestling circuit.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's signing confirms an appetite for competition beyond MMA, adding a new dimension to his career outside the UFC
- His elite wrestling credentials, reflected in his takedown volume, make him a credible and compelling entrant into organized grappling competition
- The move raises questions about scheduling and how wrestling commitments might interact with his status as the top-ranked UFC middleweight contender
