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Khamzat Chimaev is set to test his wrestling prowess, having signed a deal to join the roster of the Real American Freestyle wrestling league. The UFC middleweight champion has his first title defense scheduled for May against Sean Strickland, and will step onto the wrestling mat shortly thereafter. News of Chimaev's signing was announced during the RAF 8 event on Saturday.
While best known for his mixed martial arts career, Chimaev began his athletic journey in wrestling after moving to Sweden. There, he competed in numerous tournaments, building an impressive resume. Ultimately, however, he decided to pursue MMA rather than chase international wrestling titles.
Since making MMA his primary profession, Chimaev has become one of the most dominant and popular fighters in the UFC. The Chechen boasts a perfect 15-0 record, including nine victories in the UFC, culminating in his decisive decision win over Dricus du Plessis in August 2025, which earned him the middleweight title.
Chimaev will defend his belt against Strickland on May 9th in the main event of UFC 328. It appears that regardless of the outcome, Chimaev is preparing for his participation in RAF, where potential opponents are plentiful. Olympic champion Kyle Snyder has even stated he would welcome such a matchup.
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