Khamzat Chimaev Signs with RAF and Prepares for Freestyle Wrestling Debut

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed a contract with the Real American Freestyle (RAF) league and will soon compete in freestyle wrestling tournaments.

The organization’s next event, RAF 09, is scheduled for May 30 in Dallas. According to preliminary information, Chimaev’s debut could take place at this event, although a final decision has not yet been made. An alternative option under consideration is RAF 10, set for June 13.

The main event of RAF 09 will feature an Olympic champion Gable Steveson facing MMA fighter Alexander Romanov. A potential debut of one of today’s top wrestlers, Arsen Harutyunyan, is also expected.

It is worth noting that the previous event, RAF 08, took place on April 19 in Philadelphia, where Arman Tsarukyan secured an early victory over MMA veteran Urijah Faber.

Interest in Chimaev’s debut in this new format remains high: the transition of one of the UFC’s most dominant fighters into freestyle wrestling could become one of the key combat sports stories of the season.