The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev to their organization. This represents a significant addition for the wrestling promotion, bringing in one of the UFC's top contenders. Details about Chimaev's first opponent or match date were not provided in the announcement. The signing continues the trend of high-profile MMA fighters competing in pure wrestling competitions through RAF.
The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC middleweight contender Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, adding one of the sport's most physically dominant fighters to their roster. No opponent or match date was included in the announcement.
Chimaev, 32, carries a professional MMA record of 15 wins and one loss, currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. Representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, the six-foot-two orthodox fighter possesses a 75-inch reach and has built his reputation on a suffocating blend of striking and grappling. His numbers reflect that versatility: he lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, while averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — a rate that places him among the elite wrestlers in MMA. He also averages 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, underscoring his constant danger on the mat.
The move into pure wrestling competition through RAF follows a broader trend of high-profile MMA athletes testing themselves in the wrestling format, and Chimaev's credentials make him a natural fit for the promotion's ambitions.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's elite takedown average of 5.29 per 15 minutes translates directly to the demands of competitive wrestling, giving RAF a marquee signing with legitimate credentials on the mat.
- As the UFC's top-ranked middleweight contender and a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter, his profile raises the visibility of the RAF league considerably.
- The absence of a named opponent or scheduled date leaves the scope and timeline of his wrestling commitments unclear.
