Undefeated UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is expanding his combat sports endeavors by signing with Real American Freestyle (RAF). The announcement was made during the RAF08 event on April 18 in Philadelphia. While his debut opponent and specific event are yet to be confirmed, his signing signals RAF’s strategy to attract high-profile athletes from MMA and wrestling to broaden their audience.
Chimaev’s wrestling-centric fighting style, characterized by pressure, control, and dominance, has been instrumental in his ascent to a 15-0 MMA record and the UFC middleweight title. His first UFC title defense is scheduled for May 9 against Sean Strickland at UFC 328.
This signing represents another significant acquisition for RAF as they aim to establish themselves as a premier destination for elite athletes outside of traditional wrestling circuits. As the first unscripted professional freestyle wrestling league, RAF has a packed schedule with recent events like RAF08 in Philadelphia and upcoming events in Dallas (May 30) and St. Louis (June 13).
RAF’s upcoming events are also set to feature notable names, including Gable Steveson’s debut against Alexandr Romanov at RAF09, and reports indicate former UFC champion Chris Weidman is also slated for his first RAF appearance on the same Dallas card.
Chimaev brings a strong freestyle wrestling background to RAF. Prior to his MMA success, he achieved Swedish national titles in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in various weight classes.
Details regarding Chimaev’s RAF debut are still forthcoming. Given his UFC title defense on May 9, his wrestling appearance is likely to occur after that commitment, or later in RAF’s 2026 calendar.
RAF has been actively recruiting prominent figures in combat sports, including Arman Tsarukyan, Urijah Faber, Colby Covington, Gable Steveson, and Chris Weidman. The addition of Khamzat Chimaev, a current UFC champion, marks the most significant active fighter to join their roster so far.
Khamzat Chimaev Signs with RAF
Khamzat Chimaev is venturing into a new arena within combat sports, as Real American Freestyle (RAF) announced his signing during their RAF08 event on April 18 in Philadelphia. The undefeated UFC middleweight champion’s debut within the promotion, along with his opponent, will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The announcement, made during the broadcast from the Liacouras Center, highlights RAF’s ongoing strategy of incorporating well-known figures from MMA and wrestling to expand their viewership.
RAF Adds UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev to its Growing Roster
This move aligns perfectly with Chimaev’s established wrestling-heavy fighting style, which has underpinned his 15-0 MMA record and his current status as the UFC middleweight champion. His first title defense is scheduled for May 9 against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328 in Newark.
For RAF, this signing is a major coup as they strive to position themselves as a platform for elite athletes beyond the conventional wrestling pipeline. As the inaugural unscripted professional freestyle wrestling league, RAF is demonstrating an aggressive event schedule, with RAF08 taking place on April 18 in Philadelphia, followed by RAF09 on May 30 in Dallas, and RAF10 on June 13 in St. Louis.
Official event listings for RAF confirm Gable Steveson’s debut at RAF09 against Alexandr Romanov. Additionally, reports suggest that former UFC champion Chris Weidman is also slated for his first RAF appearance on the same Dallas event.
Chimaev is not merely a celebrity acquisition; he possesses genuine freestyle wrestling credentials. Before his rise in MMA, he built a strong foundation in Sweden after relocating, with records indicating Swedish national titles in 2016, 2017, and 2018 across different weight classes.
The date for Chimaev’s RAF debut has not yet been set, with the promotion promising further details soon. Considering his UFC title defense on May 9, any immediate wrestling competition would likely follow that bout, unless RAF decides to schedule him later in their 2026 calendar.
RAF has already secured commitments from notable names such as Arman Tsarukyan, Urijah Faber, Colby Covington, Gable Steveson, and Chris Weidman, and the addition of Chimaev, an active UFC champion, marks their most significant acquisition to date.
