The RAF wrestling league announced they have signed Khamzat Chimaev to their organization. This represents Chimaev expanding his combat sports presence beyond MMA into professional wrestling competition. No details about contract terms, debut date, or specific matches are provided in the announcement. The signing adds a high-profile UFC fighter to the RAF roster. This move suggests Chimaev is exploring opportunities in wrestling alongside his MMA career.
Khamzat Chimaev is expanding his competitive footprint beyond the Octagon, with the RAF wrestling league announcing it has signed the UFC middleweight contender to its organization.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," enters the wrestling circuit as one of the most decorated grapplers in MMA. The 32-year-old carries a professional record of 15 wins and 1 loss, currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, and holds the tenth spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. Representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, Chimaev has built his reputation on relentless wrestling pressure, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition. His striking has been equally dangerous, with a 60 percent accuracy rate and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute — numbers that underline just how complete a fighter he has become at six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach.
No contract terms, debut date, or specific matches were included in the RAF announcement. The move nonetheless signals that Chimaev intends to compete in professional wrestling alongside his continued MMA career rather than pivot away from the UFC entirely.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the UFC's top-ranked middleweight, making this a genuinely high-profile addition to the RAF roster
- His elite takedown volume in MMA translates directly to a wrestling context, raising expectations for his performance in the new format
- The dual-sport commitment raises questions about how his wrestling schedule might interact with his UFC obligations at the top of a competitive division
- No timeline has been established, leaving the scope of his wrestling involvement uncertain for now
