The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev. The post provides minimal details about the terms of the contract or when Chimaev might compete. This represents an expansion into wrestling competition for the UFC middleweight contender. No information is given about potential opponents or scheduled matches. The announcement appears to be recent and represents a significant signing for the wrestling promotion.
The RAF wrestling league has announced the signing of Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, marking a notable expansion into grappling competition for the UFC middleweight contender. The promotion offered few details regarding contract terms or a timeline for his first wrestling appearance.
Chimaev, 32, representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, enters the wrestling circuit as one of the most decorated grapplers in mixed martial arts. Ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth on the pound-for-pound list, he carries a professional MMA record of 15-1-0. His grappling credentials translate clearly in his statistics: he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that places him among the elite wrestlers in the sport. He also attempts submissions at a rate of 1.8 per 15 minutes, underlining an aggressive ground game that goes well beyond the takedown itself. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev brings an imposing physical frame to whatever competition he enters.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's involvement lends immediate credibility to the RAF wrestling league as a destination for elite combat sports athletes.
- His takedown volume and wrestling-heavy MMA style make him a natural fit for the wrestling format, though how that translates to the ruleset remains to be seen.
- No opponents or match dates have been announced, leaving the competitive implications for his UFC career unclear at this stage.
