The RAF wrestling league officially announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev to their roster. No further details about the terms of the contract, debut date, or potential opponents were provided in the announcement. This marks Chimaev's entry into competitive wrestling outside of MMA.
The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the addition of Khamzat Chimaev to its roster, marking the MMA star's first foray into competitive wrestling outside of the cage. No contract terms, debut date, or potential opponents were disclosed alongside the announcement.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," enters this new chapter as one of the most dominant grapplers in mixed martial arts. The 32-year-old carries a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 1 loss, currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. Fighting out of the United Arab Emirates and training at Allstars Training Center, the six-foot-two orthodox fighter boasts a 75-inch reach and has built his reputation on suffocating grappling. His numbers reflect that identity: 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes in MMA competition. Even his striking is elite, with a 60 percent accuracy rate and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked middleweight in the UFC, making any activity outside the organization worth monitoring closely
- His transition into competitive wrestling raises questions about how it may affect his MMA schedule and divisional standing
- As a world-class grappler by MMA metrics, Chimaev's ceiling in a pure wrestling format is a legitimate point of intrigue
- The RAF league gains significant visibility with the signing of a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter
