UFC Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev signs with RAF ahead of title fight
“Borz” is taking his talents back to the mats. During RAF 08 tonight (Sat. , April 18, 2026) inside Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Real American Freestyle (RAF) announced that current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed with the promotion.
Chimaev’s debut opponent — and the specific event […]
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia prepares to face Robert Whittaker of New Zealand in a middleweight fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) “Borz” is taking his talents back to the mats. During RAF 08 tonight (Sat.
, April 18, 2026) inside Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Real American Freestyle (RAF) announced that current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has officially signed with the promotion. Chimaev’s debut opponent — and the specific event he’ll compete on — will be revealed in the coming weeks. The timing is interesting.
Chimaev is less than a month away from his first UFC title defense against heated rival Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9, meaning his RAF debut will come later this year once his championship obligations are handled. Check out the announcement below: The Wolf is coming to RAF. pic.