The RAF wrestling league announced that they have signed Khamzat Chimaev to a contract. The post is brief and provides no additional details about the terms, duration, or future opponents for Chimaev in the league. This marks an expansion of Chimaev's combat sports activities beyond MMA into competitive wrestling. The signing generated immediate reaction from other fighters including Bo Nickal calling him out.
The RAF wrestling league has announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev, expanding the middleweight contender's combat sports career beyond MMA into competitive wrestling. The league's announcement was brief, offering no details on contract terms, duration, or scheduled opponents for Chimaev in the competition.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 professional MMA record and currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth 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, is six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. His grappling credentials inside the octagon are well established — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that underscores why a transition to competitive wrestling carries credibility. He also strikes at 4.04 significant strikes per minute with a 60 percent striking accuracy, making him one of the more complete fighters in his division.
The announcement drew immediate attention from within MMA. Bo Nickal publicly called out Chimaev in response to the news, adding an additional layer of intrigue to the signing.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked middleweight contender, so any activity outside the UFC draws scrutiny over his availability and physical condition.
- The move signals a broadening of his competitive profile, leaning into the elite wrestling that has defined much of his MMA success.
- Bo Nickal's callout following the announcement sets up a potential high-profile matchup between two wrestlers with elite credentials in the middleweight division.
- No terms or timeline were disclosed, leaving the scope of his wrestling commitment unclear relative to his MMA schedule.
