The RAF wrestling league officially announced the signing of UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev. The brief post did not provide details about the terms of the agreement or when Chimaev will compete. This represents a crossover move for Chimaev into competitive wrestling while maintaining his MMA career. No specific opponents or event dates were mentioned in the announcement. The signing adds a high-profile MMA name to the RAF roster.
The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the addition of UFC middleweight contender Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev to its roster, marking a crossover move that brings one of mixed martial arts' most recognizable names into competitive wrestling.
Chimaev, 32, is currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. Representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, the orthodox fighter carries a professional MMA record of 15-1-0. His grappling credentials inside the octagon speak for themselves — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, figures that rank among the elite in the sport. He also delivers striking at a high rate, landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy of 60 percent, underlining his well-rounded threat at six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach.
The announcement from the RAF wrestling league was brief and offered no details on contract terms, event dates, or potential opponents. It remains unclear how Chimaev will balance his wrestling commitments alongside his UFC career, and no scheduling information has been provided.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked UFC middleweight, making him the highest-profile active MMA fighter to join the RAF circuit
- The signing signals growing crossover interest between professional wrestling leagues and combat sports athletes
- His elite grappling metrics in MMA suggest a credible competitive fit at the wrestling level, not merely a promotional appearance
