Reigning UFC middleweight champ Khamzat Chimaev has signed with RAF (Real American Freestyle). It sounds like he could be involved in some huge matchups within the organization.
RAF specializes in freestyle wrestling matches. Despite being just a few years old, the promotion has made some big waves. Thats thanks largely to its signing of high profile UFC fighters and MMA veterans like Arman Tsarukyan, Colby Covington, Henry Cejudo, Merab Dvalishvili, Bo Nickal, and now Chimaev.
It makes a ton of sense for RAF and Chimaev to align. While the UFC champ has his share of knockout wins, his bread and butter is wrestling. He is known for his incredible takedowns and suffocating top control — both of which were key in his 2025 title win over Dricus Du Plessis.
Khamzat Chimaev could face fellow UFC star Bo Nickal in RAF
🇺🇸😳 Khamzat Chimaev could compete Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder at RAF who’s currently the LHW champion at the organization:
“Kyle Snyder called him out, Bo Nickal called him out before. Colby Covington is one of them too.
Kyle Snyder has a lot of respect for Chimaev.… pic.twitter.com/XID8vPS3vf
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 20, 2026
Speaking to Adam Zubayraev after last weekend’s RAF 08 event, the promotion’s CEO Chad Bronstein shed some light on what’s in store for Chimaev. He said one priority is matching the UFC star up with former Olympian Kyle Snyder. He also teased a fight between Chimaev and UFC middleweight contender Bock Nickal, as well as a Chimaev vs. Colby Covington clash. All of the above would get a lot of buzz, and be a lot of fun for wrestling and UFC fans alike.
“Kyle Snyder called him out, Bo Nickal called him out before. Colby Covington is one of them too,” he said. “Kyle Snyder has a lot of respect for Chimaev. That’s the matchup we want to see and we want to make.”
One way or the other, Chimaev’s RAF debut is going to have to wait. The undefeated MMA champ is set to defend his middleweight belt in the main event of UFC 328 on May 9. He’ll be taking on former champ Sean Strickland.