The RAF wrestling league officially announced the signing of UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev. This marks Chimaev's entry into professional wrestling competition alongside his MMA career. The terms of the deal and how it will affect his UFC obligations are not specified in the announcement. The brief nature of the post provides limited additional context.
Khamzat Chimaev has added a new competitive pursuit to his combat sports resume, with the RAF wrestling league officially announcing the signing of the undefeated UFC middleweight contender on April 19, 2026.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," enters professional wrestling competition while remaining an active fighter in the UFC. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, and the announcement offered no clarity on how the new commitment might interact with his MMA schedule or UFC obligations.
The 31-year-old — representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Stockholm — brings considerable wrestling credentials to the league. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev carries a 15-1-0 professional MMA record and currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. His grappling has been among the most dominant in the sport, with 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, and he complements that with elite striking output of 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked middleweight contender, making any scheduling complication relevant to the division's title picture
- His move into professional wrestling underscores the depth of his grappling background, though how seriously it affects his MMA timetable remains unknown
- The lack of disclosed contract terms leaves open questions about exclusivity, duration, and UFC approval
