The RAF wrestling league has announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev to their roster. This marks Chimaev's entry into professional wrestling competition outside of MMA. The announcement comes shortly after Arman Tsarukyan's dominant victory at RAF 8, indicating the league is actively recruiting top combat sports talent. Bo Nickal reportedly responded to the news by immediately challenging Chimaev. Further details about Chimaev's debut match or specific contract terms were not disclosed in the announcement.
Khamzat Chimaev has signed with the RAF wrestling league, the organization announced, marking the undefeated-in-wrestling star's formal entry into professional grappling competition outside of MMA.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," enters the league as one of the most decorated combat sports athletes available. The 32-year-old UAE-based fighter currently holds a 15-1-0 professional MMA record and sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. Representing Allstars Training Center, Chimaev has built his reputation on suffocating wrestling, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition. His striking output is equally imposing, with 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he brings elite physical tools into any competitive format.
The signing comes shortly after Arman Tsarukyan's dominant performance at RAF 8, suggesting the league is deliberately targeting high-profile combat sports names to bolster its roster. According to the announcement, Bo Nickal responded to the news almost immediately by issuing a public challenge to Chimaev, a development that would pit two of combat sports' most celebrated wrestlers against each other on the mat.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's arrival gives RAF its highest-profile MMA-active signing to date, following Tsarukyan's appearance at RAF 8
- A potential Chimaev vs. Nickal matchup would be one of the most anticipated pure wrestling contests in recent memory given both men's elite grappling pedigrees
- The crossover adds further visibility to professional wrestling leagues drawing from active MMA rosters
- No debut date or contract specifics were disclosed, leaving the scope of Chimaev's involvement unclear
