The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev. This move will see Chimaev compete in wrestling matches outside of his MMA career. The announcement marks a significant addition to the wrestling promotion's roster, bringing in one of the UFC's most talked-about fighters. Details about Chimaev's first opponent or match date were not included in the initial announcement. The signing has already generated immediate interest, with Bo Nickal quickly calling out Chimaev for a potential wrestling match.
Khamzat Chimaev has added a new competitive venture to his fighting career, with the RAF wrestling league officially announcing the signing of the UFC middleweight contender on April 19, 2026. The deal will see Chimaev compete in standalone wrestling matches alongside his MMA commitments, though no opponent or match date was included in the initial announcement.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 professional record and currently holds the number one ranking in the UFC middleweight division, with a top-ten placement on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. His wrestling pedigree has long been central to his MMA success, with an eye-catching rate of 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and a striking accuracy of 60 percent underlining his all-around dominance inside the octagon.
The signing has already stirred attention in the broader combat sports community. Bo Nickal, himself a decorated wrestling talent competing in the UFC, quickly called out Chimaev for a potential wrestling match following the announcement.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's entry into the RAF wrestling league adds a high-profile name to the promotion and elevates its visibility instantly
- Bo Nickal's callout sets up a compelling potential matchup between two elite wrestler-fighters from the UFC roster
- The move raises questions about scheduling and how Chimaev's wrestling commitments might interact with his campaign at the top of the middleweight division
