Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the RAF wrestling league. The announcement confirms his commitment to compete in wrestling alongside his MMA career. No opponent or debut date was specified in the announcement. The post asks fans who they would like to see Chimaev face in wrestling competition.
Khamzat Chimaev has added another competitive outlet to his schedule, officially signing a contract with the RAF wrestling league, it was announced on April 19, 2026. The deal confirms he will compete in wrestling alongside his ongoing MMA career, though no opponent or debut date was included in the announcement.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," is currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, carries a 15-1-0 professional MMA record. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he has built a reputation as one of the most complete fighters in the sport. His grappling credentials inside the octagon speak for themselves — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that ranks among the elite at any weight class. His striking is equally dangerous, with a 60 percent accuracy rate and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute.
The move into wrestling competition is a natural extension of a skill set that has long been central to his MMA identity. The announcement did not specify which weight category or format he will compete in within the RAF league. It also invited fans to suggest potential wrestling opponents for Chimaev, suggesting his schedule and matchups within the league are still taking shape.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the number-one ranked UFC middleweight, meaning any activity outside MMA draws significant attention from the combat sports community
- His elite takedown rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes underscores why a transition to competitive wrestling is a credible pursuit rather than a novelty
- No debut date was confirmed, leaving open questions about how the wrestling schedule may intersect with his UFC commitments
