The Real American Fighting (RAF) league has announced the signing of UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev. This marks a significant acquisition for the wrestling-focused promotion. Details about the terms of the deal or what events Chimaev will participate in remain limited. The signing adds a high-profile MMA fighter to RAF's roster. This could indicate Chimaev's interest in competing in wrestling matches alongside his MMA career.
The Real American Fighting league has confirmed the signing of Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, adding one of MMA's most recognizable names to the wrestling-focused promotion's roster. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, nor were specific events identified in which Chimaev will participate. The move suggests an interest in pursuing wrestling competition alongside his ongoing MMA career.
Chimaev, 32, trains out of Allstars Training Center and competes in the UFC's middleweight division, where he holds the number-one contender ranking and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. Born in Chechnya and now representing the United Arab Emirates, he carries a professional MMA record of 15 wins and one loss. His statistics reflect an aggressive, multi-dimensional game: he lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, while averaging an elite 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he brings an imposing physical frame to any competitive setting. Those takedown numbers in particular make him a natural fit for a promotion built around wrestling.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the UFC's top-ranked middleweight contender, meaning any extended commitment to outside competition could have implications for his MMA timeline.
- RAF gains immediate name recognition and a fighter whose grappling credentials are among the strongest in combat sports.
- The wrestling format would showcase the skills that have defined Chimaev's rise, potentially drawing crossover attention from both MMA and wrestling audiences.
- How the arrangement interacts with his UFC contract obligations remains an open question given the limited details announced.
