Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league. The announcement confirms Chimaev's expansion into professional wrestling competition outside of MMA. The post refers to Chimaev by the nickname 'Borz' and asks fans who they would like to see him face in a wrestling match. No specific opponents or match dates were announced at this time. This move represents Chimaev diversifying his combat sports career while maintaining his UFC commitments.
Khamzat Chimaev has signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league, marking a formal entry into professional wrestling competition alongside his UFC career. The announcement, made on April 19, 2026, referred to the Swedish-based Chechen fighter by his well-known nickname "Borz" and invited fans to suggest opponents they would like to see him face on the mat. No specific matchups or dates were attached to the deal.
Chimaev currently sits at number one in the UFC middleweight rankings and tenth on the pound-for-pound list, carrying a professional MMA record of 15-1-0. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. His grappling credentials have long been a foundation of his MMA game — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and registers 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, numbers that reflect a legitimate elite-level wrestling base. He also lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy, making him one of the more complete fighters in the division.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked UFC middleweight, so any activity outside the octagon draws significant attention from the division.
- The signing demonstrates his versatility as a combat sports competitor, extending his profile beyond MMA.
- No MMA bouts or scheduling conflicts were indicated, leaving his UFC standing and commitments unchanged for now.
- Fan input is being solicited for future wrestling opponents, suggesting the league is using his name to build early interest in matchmaking.
