Overview
- RAF announced the signing during Saturday's RAF 08 event in Philadelphia, with no date or opponent set for his first match.
- Khamzat Chimaev remains slated to defend the UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland on May 9 in Newark, so any RAF bout would come afterward.
- UFC CEO Dana White reacted to the news by saying, "Good for them," signaling the promotion will allow these crossover appearances.
- Olympic champion and RAF light heavyweight titleholder Kyle Snyder said he would be interested in wrestling Chimaev, pointing to a possible marquee matchup.
- RAF 08 also drew safety and matchmaking criticism after Arman Tsarukyan drove Urijah Faber off the stage on a takedown, with no injuries reported.