The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev. The announcement indicates the UFC middleweight contender will compete in wrestling matches for the organization. No details were provided about potential opponents or when Chimaev will make his debut. The signing represents a major acquisition for the RAF league. This follows similar crossover moves by other MMA fighters into wrestling competition.
The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, adding the UFC middleweight contender to its roster of competitors. No details regarding potential opponents or a debut date have been made public at this stage.
Chimaev, 32, carries a professional MMA record of 15-1-0 and currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, with a place at number ten in the pound-for-pound standings. Representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, the six-foot-two orthodox fighter has built his reputation on suffocating grappling and relentless aggression. His verified numbers reflect a well-rounded game: a striking accuracy of 60 percent and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute complement an elite wrestling output of 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, with 1.8 submission attempts in the same window. That grappling pedigree makes a transition into competitive wrestling a natural fit.
The move follows a broader trend of high-level MMA athletes crossing over into wrestling competition, and the RAF league lands one of the sport's most recognizable names in Chimaev.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's grappling metrics rank among the best in the UFC middleweight division, making him a credible draw for wrestling audiences.
- His signing raises the profile of the RAF league significantly and could attract further MMA crossover talent.
- With no opponent or date announced, the timeline for his wrestling debut remains entirely open.
- His continued ties to MMA contention at the top of the middleweight rankings mean this crossover will draw attention from combat sports fans across both disciplines.
