The Real Action Fight (RAF) wrestling league has officially announced the signing of UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev. This marks a significant addition to the wrestling promotion's roster, bringing in one of MMA's most talked-about fighters. The announcement comes amid Chimaev's ongoing UFC career, suggesting he will compete in wrestling matches alongside his mixed martial arts commitments. Details about specific opponents or match dates were not included in the initial announcement. The signing immediately generated attention from other fighters, including Bo Nickal who issued a challenge to Chimaev shortly after the news broke.
The Real Action Fight (RAF) wrestling league has announced the signing of Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, adding the UFC middleweight contender to its roster as he continues to compete in mixed martial arts.
Chimaev, 32, trains out of Allstars Training Center and represents the United Arab Emirates. He holds a professional MMA record of 15-1 and is currently ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he has built his reputation as one of the sport's most dominant grapplers, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. His striking output is equally notable, landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate. The RAF announcement suggests he will take on wrestling bouts alongside his ongoing UFC commitments, though no specific opponents or match dates were included in the initial release.
The news drew an immediate reaction from the combat sports community. Bo Nickal issued a public challenge to Chimaev shortly after the signing was announced, adding an extra layer of attention to the move.
Why it matters
- Chimaev enters the wrestling promotion as the UFC's top-ranked middleweight, bringing elite-level credibility to RAF's roster.
- His grappling credentials — nearly five and a half takedowns per 15 minutes — make him a natural fit for a dedicated wrestling league.
- Nickal's swift challenge raises the possibility of a high-profile early matchup, though nothing has been confirmed.
- The dual-sport arrangement will draw scrutiny over how wrestling commitments interact with his UFC schedule.
