The RAF wrestling league officially announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev to their roster. Details about the specific terms of the contract or when Chimaev will compete were not provided in the brief announcement. This move expands Chimaev's competitive pursuits beyond MMA into the wrestling realm. The signing generated immediate attention from other combat sports figures, including Bo Nickal who quickly responded with a challenge. RAF continues to attract high-profile MMA fighters to participate in their wrestling events.
The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, bringing one of MMA's most dominant competitors into their organization. No contract terms or scheduled competition dates were included in the announcement.
Chimaev, 32, trains out of Allstars Training Center and represents the United Arab Emirates. Currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings, he carries a professional MMA record of 15-1-0. His game inside the cage blends elite grappling with sharp striking — he lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate, while averaging an impressive 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. That wrestling pedigree makes his crossover into the RAF format a natural extension of his skillset.
The announcement drew immediate attention across combat sports circles. Bo Nickal, himself a decorated wrestler and rising UFC fighter, wasted no time responding with a public challenge directed at Chimaev. The call-out underscores the broader appeal of the signing and the competitive interest it has sparked.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's elite takedown rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes signals he can compete at a high level in a pure wrestling environment
- The RAF organization continues a trend of recruiting high-profile MMA talent to raise the profile of their events
- Bo Nickal's challenge hints at potential matchups that would draw significant attention from both MMA and wrestling audiences
- Chimaev's involvement could accelerate crossover appeal between the two sports
