Khamzat Chimaev has signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league. The announcement confirms his entry into the wrestling competition format. The post does not provide details about his first opponent or when he might compete.
Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league, marking his entry into competitive wrestling outside of MMA. The announcement was made public on April 19, 2026, though no details have emerged regarding his first opponent or a timeline for his debut in the format.
Chimaev, 32, is one of the most dominant fighters in mixed martial arts today. Competing out of Allstars Training Center and representing the United Arab Emirates, he holds a 15-1 record and sits ranked first in the middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. His grappling credentials inside the cage speak for themselves — he averages 5.29 takedowns per fifteen minutes, a figure that places him among the elite wrestlers in the sport. He also lands striking at a rate of 4.04 significant strikes per minute with a remarkable 60 percent accuracy, making him a well-rounded threat at six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's elite grappling pedigree makes him a credible competitor in a dedicated wrestling format
- His involvement raises the profile of the RAF wrestling league significantly
- No timeline or opponent has been confirmed, leaving the scope of his commitment unclear
- His MMA schedule and how this contract interacts with his UFC obligations remains an open question
