Hamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with RAF, the wrestling league. The announcement was made in a post summarizing recent MMA news. Following Chimaev's signing, Bo Nickal immediately challenged the champion. The post also mentioned that Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber 13-1 in RAF and challenged Colby Covington, promising a 10-0 victory. Additionally, the summary noted Gilbert Burns retired, and Mike Malott is expected to enter the top 15 welterweight rankings.
Hamzat Chimaev has signed a contract with RAF, the professional wrestling league, marking a significant move for the welterweight contender outside of MMA competition. The signing was confirmed in a recent announcement summarizing the latest developments across combat sports.
The news triggered an immediate response from Bo Nickal, who called out the RAF champion following Chimaev's arrival in the organization. Nickal, 30, carries a 9-1 professional MMA record and competes out of American Top Team Happy Valley. The six-foot-one southpaw owns a 76-inch reach and has built a reputation as a relentless grappler, averaging 3.1 takedowns and 2.5 submission attempts per 15 minutes, along with a striking accuracy of 61 percent.
Separately, the same announcement noted that Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber by a score of 13-1 in RAF competition and subsequently issued a challenge to Colby Covington. Faber, known as The California Kid, is 47 years old and holds a career MMA record of 35-11. The five-foot-six veteran, who fights out of Team Alpha Male, has long been a fixture in combat sports.
The roundup also confirmed that Gilbert Burns has retired. The Brazilian welterweight, nicknamed Durinho, ends his career at 39 years old with a record of 22-10, ranked 13th in the division at the time of his retirement. Fighting out of Kill Cliff FC, Burns averaged 3.15 significant strikes per minute and 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career, and leaves behind a legacy as one of the more well-rounded fighters in welterweight history.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's RAF signing raises questions about his future MMA commitments at welterweight
- Nickal's immediate challenge signals ambition within the RAF organization
- Burns's retirement reshapes the welterweight divisional landscape, with Mike Malott reportedly set to enter the top 15 rankings as a result
