The RAF wrestling league announced that it has signed Khamzat Chimaev. This marks Chimaev's entry into competitive wrestling under the RAF banner, expanding his combat sports activities beyond MMA. No additional details about the terms of the agreement or when Chimaev might compete are provided in the announcement. RAF has been signing several high-profile MMA fighters for wrestling competitions. This follows other recent RAF signings and events featuring MMA athletes.
The RAF wrestling league has announced the signing of Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, marking the Swedish-based UAE-flagged fighter's formal entry into competitive wrestling under the RAF banner and extending his combat sports presence beyond MMA.
Chimaev, 32, is currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings, carrying a professional MMA record of 15 wins and just one loss. Training out of Allstars Training Center, the orthodox striker has built a fearsome reputation on the back of elite grappling, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition. His striking output is equally imposing, with 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute at a remarkable 60 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he presents a physical profile well-suited to the wrestling format.
The RAF league has been actively recruiting high-profile MMA athletes, and the addition of Chimaev represents one of its most prominent signings to date. No terms of the agreement were disclosed in the announcement, and no timeline for his competitive wrestling debut under the RAF banner has been confirmed.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked UFC middleweight and a pound-for-pound top-ten fighter, giving the RAF league its highest-profile MMA name yet
- The signing reflects a broader trend of elite MMA athletes competing in parallel wrestling circuits, raising the sport's mainstream visibility
- Chimaev's grappling credentials in MMA — among the highest takedown rates in the division — make him a legitimate competitor rather than a celebrity addition
