The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of MMA fighter Khamzat Chimaev to their roster. Details about the specific terms of the contract or planned debut are limited in this announcement. This represents Chimaev's expansion into professional wrestling competition alongside his ongoing MMA career.
The RAF wrestling league has announced the signing of MMA star Khamzat Chimaev, adding the undefeated-in-recent-years fighter to their roster as he looks to expand his competitive portfolio beyond the cage.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," carries a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 1 loss and currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center, brings an exceptionally well-rounded combat sports background to the wrestling circuit. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he has built his MMA reputation on relentless grappling, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute — numbers that reflect just how complete a fighter he has become.
The specific terms of the deal with the RAF wrestling league have not been disclosed, nor has any debut date been announced. It also remains unclear how this commitment will interact with his ongoing MMA career obligations at the middleweight level.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the number-one ranked middleweight in the UFC, meaning any extended absence or divided focus carries significant divisional implications.
- His grappling pedigree — 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes — makes him a credible signing for a professional wrestling league on athletic merit alone.
- The move raises questions about scheduling and whether the RAF commitment will delay his next MMA appearance.
