Khamzat Chimaev to make RAF debut on June 13, opponent to be announced

Khamzat Chimaev is set to make his debut for the RAF promotion on June 13, with an opponent already identified but not yet publicly named, according to an announcement made on May 8.

Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," enters the bout as one of the most decorated fighters on the card. The 32-year-old UAE-based Swede holds a 15-1-0 professional record and currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. Training out of Allstars Training Center, Chimaev is a relentless pressure fighter who lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, while also averaging an exceptional 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. His debut for RAF marks a significant acquisition for the organization.

Also confirmed for the June 13 event is Arman Tsarukyan, the top-ranked UFC lightweight contender. The 29-year-old Russian, nicknamed "Ahalkalakets" and a member of American Top Team, carries a 23-3-0 record into the appearance. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, Tsarukyan is an active and well-rounded competitor who lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• RAF is landing two of the UFC's top-ranked fighters — the number-one middleweights and lightweights — on a single card, signaling serious organizational ambition.
• Chimaev's opponent remains unannounced, leaving the most consequential matchup of the event unresolved ahead of the promotion's own reveal.
• The pairing of Chimaev and Tsarukyan on the same bill raises the event's profile considerably within the broader MMA landscape.