UFC Champ Chimaev Plans Title Defense and Wrestling Comeback

Middleweight king Khamzat Chimaev to defend UFC belt against Sean Strickland, then return to Real American Freestyle wrestling circuit.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:22pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and intense competition of a UFC title fight and a wrestling match, with Khamzat Chimaev's opponents obscured in the abstract composition.Chimaev's quest to conquer both the UFC and the wrestling mat is captured in a cubist, deconstructed illustration.Cleveland Today

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is preparing for a busy schedule, as he will first defend his title against Sean Strickland in May, and is also planning a competitive wrestling comeback soon after with Real American Freestyle (RAF). Chimaev, who has a perfect 15-0 professional record, officially competed in RAF 8 on Saturday, indicating his desire to compete in both MMA and wrestling competitions in the future.

Why it matters

Chimaev's decision to return to wrestling while holding the UFC title highlights his versatility as an elite combat sports athlete. His ability to excel in both MMA and wrestling could make him one of the most dominant and popular fighters in the sport, drawing interest from fans and potential opponents like Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder.

The details

Even though Chimaev has become known for his prowess in mixed martial arts, his combat sports career began on the wrestling mats. He competed in several wrestling tournaments after moving to Sweden and established a strong competitive background before transitioning to MMA, where he has quickly risen to become UFC middleweight champion. Chimaev's upcoming title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 will be followed by his return to the RAF wrestling circuit, where high-profile matches against the likes of Kyle Snyder may be in store.

  • Chimaev will defend his UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland on May 9, 2026.
  • Chimaev officially competed in Real American Freestyle (RAF) on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • RAF 09 will be held in Dallas, Texas, on May 30, 2026, and RAF 10 will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 13, 2026.

The players

Khamzat Chimaev

The undefeated UFC middleweight champion who is planning to defend his title and make a return to competitive wrestling.

Sean Strickland

The challenger who will face Chimaev for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026.

Kyle Snyder

The Olympic gold medalist wrestler who has expressed interest in a potential matchup against Chimaev in the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling circuit.

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What they’re saying

“Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan are both very good at wrestling. Snyder thinks it would be really interesting to see Chimaev fight someone like that.”

— Kyle Snyder, Olympic gold medalist wrestler

What’s next

Chimaev's next step will be to defend his UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland on May 9, 2026. After that, he is expected to make a return to the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling circuit, where he may face off against high-profile opponents like Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder.

The takeaway

Khamzat Chimaev's ability to excel in both MMA and wrestling makes him a unique and versatile combat sports athlete. His decision to defend his UFC title while also planning a return to the wrestling mat showcases his ambition to dominate in multiple disciplines, which could further elevate his status as one of the sport's top stars.