Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league. The signing represents Chimaev's formal commitment to compete in wrestling for the organization. No specific opponent or date has been announced for his wrestling debut under the RAF banner, but the contract is now confirmed.
Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league, marking a formal step into competitive wrestling outside of MMA. No opponent or debut date has been announced, but the deal is confirmed as of April 19, 2026.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," is currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old carries a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 1 loss, competing out of the United Arab Emirates and training at Allstars Training Center in Sweden. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev has built his MMA reputation heavily on elite grappling. His takedown rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes ranks among the most dominant in the sport, and he also lands significant strikes at a rate of 4.04 per minute with a striking accuracy of 60 percent — an unusually well-rounded profile that makes his wrestling credentials easy to appreciate in isolation.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's grappling pedigree gives him legitimate credentials to compete at a high level in organized wrestling
- The signing raises questions about how his commitments to the RAF league may interact with his UFC middleweight campaign
- As the number one ranked middleweight, any extended absence or shift in focus carries divisional implications
