The Real American Fight (RAF) wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev to compete in wrestling matches. This adds another high-profile MMA athlete to the growing wrestling promotion. Chimaev, known for his elite grappling skills in MMA, will now showcase his wrestling abilities in a pure grappling format. The signing expands RAF's roster of MMA crossover athletes competing in wrestling.
The Real American Fight wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, adding the UFC middleweight contender to its growing roster of MMA crossover athletes competing in pure wrestling competition.
Chimaev, 32, enters the RAF with one of the most decorated grappling reputations in mixed martial arts. Competing out of Allstars Training Center and representing the United Arab Emirates, he currently holds a professional MMA record of 15-1 and sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. His grappling credentials inside the Octagon are well documented: he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minute period, numbers that place him among the elite wrestlers active in MMA today. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, his physical profile translates naturally to a wrestling format.
The signing continues a trend of high-profile MMA athletes crossing over into dedicated wrestling promotions, giving fans a chance to see fighters compete in the discipline that often underpins their cage success.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the current number-one ranked UFC middleweight, making this one of the most significant MMA-to-wrestling crossover signings to date
- His elite takedown rate and submission volume suggest he will be immediately competitive in a pure grappling environment
- The addition raises the profile of RAF as a destination for top-tier MMA athletes looking to compete outside the cage
- Wrestling fans will get a focused look at the grappling engine behind one of the UFC's most dominant fighters of recent years
