The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev. This marks Chimaev's entry into competitive wrestling alongside his MMA career. The post is brief and does not provide details about the terms of the contract or when Chimaev might compete. RAF is a wrestling organization that has recently attracted several high-profile MMA fighters.
The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC middleweight contender Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, marking the 32-year-old's formal entry into competitive wrestling while he continues his MMA career.
Chimaev arrives at the RAF league as one of the most decorated grapplers in the UFC's middleweight division. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center and representing the United Arab Emirates, he holds a 15-1-0 professional MMA record and sits ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. His wrestling pedigree has long been evident inside the octagon, where he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — a figure that ranks among the elite in the sport. He also lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, underscoring a well-rounded skillset that traces back to his grappling foundation. The six-foot-two, 188-centimeter fighter carries a 75-inch reach and competes out of an orthodox stance.
The RAF organization has recently made headlines by attracting several high-profile MMA fighters to its ranks, and Chimaev represents its most prominent signing to date. The announcement was brief, however, with no contract terms disclosed and no timeline offered for when Chimaev might make his competitive wrestling debut under the banner.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the ranked number-one middleweight contender, meaning any extended commitment to wrestling could draw scrutiny from the UFC regarding scheduling.
- The signing adds further star power to the RAF league's ongoing effort to recruit elite MMA talent.
- Chimaev's elite takedown rate suggests he could be immediately competitive at a high level of folkstyle or freestyle wrestling.
