The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev to their roster. The move represents Chimaev's entry into competitive wrestling while maintaining his MMA career. This announcement has generated immediate reactions from other fighters, including Bo Nickal who quickly issued a challenge. The signing adds a major UFC star to the RAF roster and creates intriguing potential matchups. Details about Chimaev's first opponent or bout date were not included in the brief announcement. The crossover highlights the growing trend of MMA fighters competing in professional wrestling leagues.
Khamzat Chimaev has added a new competitive outlet to his resume, with the RAF wrestling league officially announcing the signing of the UFC middleweight contender to its roster. The move marks Chimaev's entry into organized professional wrestling competition while he continues his MMA career.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," is currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old, who competes out of the United Arab Emirates and trains at Allstars Training Center, carries a professional MMA record of 15-1. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev has built his reputation on a suffocating grappling-heavy style, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes while also posting a striking accuracy of 60 percent and landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute. That blend of elite wrestling and striking makes the RAF signing a natural extension of his competitive identity.
The announcement has already generated immediate buzz, with fellow UFC fighter Bo Nickal publicly issuing a challenge in response to the news. No opponent or bout date for Chimaev's wrestling debut has been confirmed at this stage.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the UFC middleweight division's top-ranked contender, meaning any extended commitment to outside competition could have implications for his place in the title picture.
- The signing adds one of MMA's most recognizable active stars to the RAF roster, raising the league's profile considerably.
- A potential crossover matchup involving Nickal, himself a decorated wrestler and rising UFC middleweight, would draw significant attention from both the MMA and wrestling audiences.
- The move reflects a broader trend of elite MMA fighters testing themselves in professional wrestling formats alongside their cage careers.
