The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev to their roster. This marks Chimaev's entry into competitive wrestling within the RAF organization. The announcement was brief with no additional details provided about potential opponents, debut date, or contractual terms. The signing represents an expansion of Chimaev's combat sports activities beyond MMA. This news comes amid growing interest in the crossover wrestling league featuring MMA fighters.
The RAF wrestling league has announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev, bringing the undefeated-in-all-but-one-fight MMA star into competitive wrestling outside of the octagon.
Chimaev, known by the nickname "Borz," enters the RAF organization as one of the most decorated grapplers currently active in combat sports. The 32-year-old represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center. He holds a professional MMA record of 15-1 and is currently ranked first in the UFC Middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. His grappling credentials within MMA are well documented — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, numbers that rank among the most aggressive in his division. He also lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy, underlining a well-rounded skill set that extends beyond wrestling alone.
The announcement from the RAF league was brief, offering no details on a debut date, potential opponents, or the terms of the agreement. What is clear is that Chimaev's involvement represents a continuation of the growing trend of elite MMA fighters crossing over into organized wrestling competition.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked UFC Middleweight, meaning any extended activity outside MMA will draw attention from the division and UFC matchmakers.
- His elite takedown volume makes him a credible competitive threat in a wrestling format, not merely a promotional addition.
- The RAF league gains significant visibility by signing a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter to its roster.
- No debut timeline has been confirmed, leaving the scope of his wrestling commitment unclear.
