Chimaev Signs RAF Wrestling Deal Before UFC Title Defense

Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated UFC middleweight champion, has signed a contract with Real American Freestyle wrestling, expanding his combat sports pursuits just weeks before his first title defense. The announcement came during the RAF 8 event on Saturday in Philadelphia, with Chimaev slated to debut at RAF 10 on June 13 in St. Louis.

Chimaev captured the 185-pound belt last year by dominating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, maintaining his perfect 15-0 record in mixed martial arts. Now, he prepares for a high-stakes main event against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The bout stems from a heated rivalry between the two, once training partners who have since become bitter adversaries. UFC President Dana White has implemented extra security measures, including separate hotels and avoiding pre-fight faceoffs, to prevent any confrontations during fight week.

In a recent interview, Chimaev emphasized his commitment to keeping the fight professional. "I don't want to kill a person. It's haram," he said, referring to Islamic prohibitions against unnecessary violence. He distinguished the controlled environment of the...