Khamzat Chimaev is scheduled to make his debut appearance at a RAF league event on June 13, according to a report. The opponent for Chimaev has been determined and will be announced soon. Arman Tsarukyan is also scheduled to compete on the same card. This represents an unusual development, as Chimaev is currently a UFC fighter scheduled to face Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The nature of this RAF appearance—whether it's an exhibition, promotional event, or actual competition—remains unclear from the limited details provided.
Reports emerged on May 8 that Khamzat Chimaev is set to make an appearance at a RAF league event on June 13, with an opponent already determined but not yet publicly named. The nature of the appearance — whether exhibition, promotional, or competitive — has not been clarified, and the report is unconfirmed.
Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 professional record and currently sits at number one in the middleweight division, ranked tenth pound-for-pound. The 32-year-old representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center is a physically imposing six-foot-two fighter with a 75-inch reach. His statistical profile is formidable across the board, landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate while averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. He is also separately reported to be booked against Sean Strickland at UFC 328, making any outside competitive appearance particularly notable if that detail is confirmed.
Also reported for the same card is lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, who holds a 23-3-0 record and is ranked first in the lightweight division. The 29-year-old Russian fighting out of American Top Team stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach. He lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Chimaev appearing at an outside event while under UFC contract and with a fight already scheduled raises immediate contractual and competitive questions.
- No details have been confirmed regarding the RAF league or the format of either fighter's involvement.
- If legitimate competition, a Chimaev loss or injury could directly affect the UFC 328 middleweight bout with Strickland.
- Tsarukyan's presence adds further intrigue, though the context of his appearance is equally unclear.
