The RAF wrestling league has announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev to their organization. This represents Chimaev's expansion beyond MMA into professional wrestling competition. The announcement was brief with no additional details provided about contract terms, debut timing, or what weight class he will compete in. The signing follows previous news from the same event where other fighters were mentioned in connection with RAF.
The RAF wrestling league has confirmed the signing of Khamzat Chimaev, marking a notable move into professional wrestling competition for one of MMA's most dominant active fighters.
Chimaev, known by the nickname "Borz," holds a 15-1-0 professional MMA record and is currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, has built his reputation on an aggressive, all-around grappling-heavy game. He averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands significant strikes at a rate of 4.04 per minute with a striking accuracy of 60 percent — numbers that reflect a fighter who controls opponents across all phases of a fight. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he brings considerable physical tools to any competitive format.
The RAF organization's announcement was brief, offering no details regarding contract terms, a scheduled debut, or which weight class Chimaev will compete in within their system.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked UFC middleweight, making any activity outside the organization worth monitoring for implications on his MMA schedule.
- His elite wrestling credentials — among the highest takedown averages in the division — make the crossover into professional wrestling a natural extension of his competitive identity.
- The lack of detail around debut timing and weight class leaves significant questions about the scope and seriousness of the commitment.
- The signing was announced alongside other fighter-related news connected to the same RAF event, suggesting a broader organizational push.
