Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league. The post asks fans who they would like to see Chimaev face in a wrestling match. No additional details are provided about the terms of the deal or potential opponents. This marks Chimaev's formal entry into competitive wrestling outside of MMA.
Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league, marking his formal entry into competitive wrestling outside of mixed martial arts.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 professional MMA record and currently sits at number one in the UFC middleweight division, also ranking 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, has long been regarded as one of the sport's most physically dominant competitors. His grappling credentials inside the cage speak for themselves — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and registers 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, figures that place him among the elite grapplers in MMA. Chimaev also brings significant striking volume to his game, landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate.
The signing adds an official competitive wrestling platform to his resume, though no details regarding contract terms or potential opponents have been disclosed. The announcement was accompanied by a call to fans to suggest who they would like to see Chimaev face in a wrestling match, suggesting the league is building anticipation around his debut matchup.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's move into organized wrestling competition highlights the crossover appeal between elite MMA athletes and traditional combat sports leagues.
- As the number one ranked UFC middleweight, any activity outside the cage draws attention to his broader athletic profile.
- The identity of his first wrestling opponent, once confirmed, could generate significant interest given his fanbase and divisional status.
