Khamzat Chimaev Joins RAF as Dana White Responds

Real American Freestyle (RAF) continues to make waves in the combat sports space, this time with the signing of a current UFC champion.

Just three weeks prior to his UFC 328 title defense against Sean Strickland, middleweight titleholder Khamzat Chimaev has inked a deal with RAF for a future appearance on the wrestling mat.

RAF announced the news during Saturday's RAF 08 event in Philadelphia, playing a video package teasing Chimaev's future debut, which does not have a date or location announced at this time.

Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) will make his debut sometime in the aftermath of his May 9 grudge match with Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC), which takes place at Prudential Centre in Newark, N.J. (Paramount+).

RAF has utilized a number of UFC standouts for its events, from Arman Tsarukyan to Colby Covington to Aljamain Sterling and many more. This is the first signing of an active UFC champion, however, and some wondered how that would go over with the UFC brass.

UFC CEO Dana White was asked about the Chimaev's signing, as well as other UFC fighters, competing for RAF. He appeared to have no problem with any of it.

"Good for them," White said at Saturday's UFC Fight Night 273 post-event news conference in Canada. "I hope it works out for them."