The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev to their roster. This marks Chimaev's entry into competitive wrestling outside of MMA. No specific opponents or match dates were mentioned in the announcement. The signing has already generated attention from other fighters including Bo Nickal, who immediately called out Chimaev.
Khamzat Chimaev has taken a step outside the octagon, with the RAF wrestling league officially announcing the signing of the UFC middleweight contender to its roster. The move marks Chimaev's first foray into competitive wrestling as a standalone pursuit, separate from his MMA career. No opponents or match dates were included in the announcement, though the news immediately drew attention from other fighters, with Bo Nickal publicly calling out Chimaev upon hearing the news.
Chimaev, 32, competes out of the United Arab Emirates and trains at Allstars Training Center in Sweden. Known in MMA circles by his nickname "Borz," he holds a professional record of 15 wins and 1 loss and currently sits at number one in the UFC middleweight rankings, with a top-ten spot on the pound-for-pound list as well. His grappling credentials inside the cage speak for themselves — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that underscores why a move into competitive wrestling carries genuine credibility. He also lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy, making him one of the more complete fighters in his division.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's elite takedown rate gives him a legitimate foundation to compete in organized wrestling, not just a promotional crossover
- Bo Nickal's callout signals immediate interest from high-profile wrestling and MMA crossover names, raising the profile of the league
- Any extended commitment to the RAF schedule could raise questions about how it fits alongside his UFC middleweight obligations at the top of the rankings
