The Real Armed Forces (RAF) league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev. The post is brief and does not provide details on the terms of the contract or Chimaev's future plans with the organization. This signing represents a significant addition to the RAF roster, given Chimaev's profile and reputation. The announcement has already generated reactions from other fighters, including Bo Nickal. Further details about Chimaev's role and upcoming bouts with RAF are expected to be revealed later.
Khamzat Chimaev has officially joined the Real Armed Forces league, with the organization announcing the signing on April 19, 2026. The announcement was brief, offering no details on contract terms or a specific timeline for his first appearance under the RAF banner. Reactions from other fighters followed quickly, including a response from Bo Nickal.
Chimaev, known by the nickname "Borz," enters the RAF as one of the most recognizable names in combat sports. The 32-year-old competes at middleweight, where he holds the number-one divisional ranking and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. Representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, Chimaev carries a professional record of 15 wins and one loss. His statistical profile is aggressive across the board — he lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate and averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a credible threat in every phase of a fight. He also averages 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, underlining his grappling versatility. He stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's arrival gives RAF a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter and the ranked middleweight at number one, raising the league's competitive profile considerably.
- His signing has already drawn attention from other fighters, signaling that his presence could reshape matchmaking within the organization.
- His well-rounded, high-pressure style — elite grappling combined with heavy striking volume — makes him a compelling addition to any roster.
Further details on his role within RAF and potential matchups are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
