The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev. This marks Chimaev's entry into competitive wrestling outside of MMA. No specific details about upcoming matches or opponents were provided in the announcement. The signing adds another high-profile MMA fighter to the RAF roster. This follows recent activity in the league featuring other UFC fighters in wrestling competition.
The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, bringing the elite UFC middleweight contender into competitive wrestling competition outside of MMA.
Chimaev, 32, represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden. He carries a professional MMA record of 15-1-0, currently holds the number-one ranking in the UFC middleweight division, and sits tenth on the pound-for-pound list. His wrestling credentials have long been considered among the most dangerous in the sport, and the numbers back that up — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition, a rate that places him among the elite grapplers in the UFC. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev also brings exceptional striking to his game, landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate.
The RAF league did not provide details about scheduled matches or future opponents in connection with the announcement.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked UFC middleweight and a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter, making this one of the league's most prominent signings to date
- His elite takedown volume in MMA suggests he could make an immediate impact in a dedicated wrestling format
- The signing continues a broader trend of high-profile UFC athletes competing in wrestling leagues alongside their MMA careers, raising the league's visibility
