The Real American Fighting (RAF) wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev. This represents a crossover move for the Swedish-Chechen fighter who competes in MMA. The signing was formally announced by the league. Details about potential opponents or when Chimaev might compete in RAF are not provided in this brief announcement. This continues the trend of MMA fighters joining the wrestling-focused promotion.
The Real American Fighting wrestling league has announced the signing of UFC middleweight contender Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, marking a crossover move into the wrestling-focused promotion for the MMA star.
Chimaev, 32, carries a 15-1-0 professional record and currently holds the number-one ranking in the UFC middleweight division, with a place inside the top ten on the pound-for-pound list as well. Representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, the six-foot-two, 188-centimeter fighter has built his reputation on a suffocating blend of striking and grappling. He lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 60 percent accuracy, while also averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — a figure that underlines why a wrestling league would view him as an attractive signing. His 75-inch reach and orthodox stance round out a physical profile that translates well across combat sports formats.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's elite takedown numbers make him a natural fit for a wrestling-focused promotion, raising questions about how much bandwidth he is devoting to his UFC career.
- As the number-one-ranked UFC middleweight, any outside commitment draws attention from divisional rivals and the promotion itself.
- The move continues a broader trend of high-profile MMA athletes crossing over into wrestling leagues, lending those organizations increased mainstream visibility.
The RAF announcement did not include details on potential opponents for Chimaev or a timeline for his first appearance under the banner.
