Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league. This marks an expansion of Chimaev's combat sports involvement beyond MMA and the UFC. The post does not specify the terms of the contract or when Chimaev will make his debut for the organization. RAF is a wrestling promotion that features grappling matches between combat sports athletes. Fans are being asked who they would like to see Chimaev face in his wrestling debut.
Khamzat Chimaev has expanded his combat sports footprint by officially signing a contract with RAF, a grappling promotion that pits fighters from across combat sports disciplines against one another. No terms of the deal were disclosed, nor has a debut date been announced, but the organization has already turned to fans to suggest potential opponents for Chimaev's first appearance on the mats.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," is currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, carries a professional MMA record of 15-1. His grappling credentials inside the Octagon are well established — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, a rate that places him among the most dominant wrestlers in the sport. He also attempts 1.8 submissions per 15 minutes, underscoring an active, threat-heavy ground game. His striking numbers are equally eye-catching, with a 60 percent accuracy rate and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute, but it is his wrestling that has long been viewed as his foundational weapon. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, the orthodox fighter presents physical tools that translate readily to a pure grappling format.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's elite takedown volume makes him a natural fit for a grappling promotion, and his signing raises RAF's profile considerably.
- The move adds another competitive outlet for the top-ranked middleweight without interfering with his UFC obligations.
- Fan input on his debut opponent suggests RAF is building early buzz around what could be a high-profile matchup in the grappling world.
