Khamzat Chimaev has issued a $200,000 challenge to Olympic champions for a fight outside the UFC, according to recent reports. The Russian-Emirati middleweight champion made the challenge following his move to Real American Freestyle (RAF), signaling his interest in competing beyond the octagon.
Chimaev, who holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a three-time Swedish national freestyle wrestling champion, has competed in both MMA and freestyle wrestling throughout his career. His amateur wrestling background includes multiple national titles in Sweden across different weight classes.
The UFC middleweight champion, currently ranked #3 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings as of December 2025, has fought exclusively in the UFC since his MMA debut in 2018. His professional MMA record stands at 15 wins and 0 losses, with victories coming via knockout, submission, and decision.
Chimaev fights out of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and has been associated with teams including Allstars Training Center and Fight Club Akhmat. His fighting style combines his wrestling base with striking and submission skills that have earned him finishes in the majority of his professional bouts.
The challenge to Olympic champions comes as Chimaev expands his presence in combat sports beyond the UFC. His move to Real American Freestyle represents a new venture in his career, though he remains the current UFC Middleweight Champion and continues to be active in the promotion.
As a Russian-Emirati athlete born in the Chechen Republic of Russia, Chimaev has represented both nations in his sporting career. His nickname “Borz” translates to “The Chechen wolf” in his native language, reflecting his heritage and fighting persona.
The $200,000 figure cited in the challenge represents a significant purse for a non-UFC bout, though details about the specific Olympic champions targeted, the organizing body for such a match, or potential rulesets have not been verified through official sources.
Chimaev’s next confirmed checkpoint remains his UFC middleweight title defense, though no specific date or opponent has been officially announced by the UFC as of the latest available information.
For updates on Khamzat Chimaev’s fighting career and any potential developments regarding this challenge, fans are encouraged to follow official UFC announcements and the athlete’s verified social media channels.
