Overview
- Chimaev’s signing was revealed during Saturday’s RAF 08 event in Philadelphia, with no debut date or opponent announced as he prepares to face Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9.
- UFC CEO Dana White said, “Good for them, I hope it works out for them,” and UFC rules typically bar active roster members from facing each other outside the promotion.
- Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder said he would welcome a match with Chimaev and defended his RAF light heavyweight title on the RAF 08 card.
- A viral RAF 08 sequence saw Arman Tsarukyan drive Urijah Faber off an elevated stage during a takedown, with both unhurt as RAF executive Izzy Martinez called the move “pretty dirty.”
- RAF has featured several UFC names before, but Chimaev is its first active UFC champion and he brings real freestyle credentials that include multiple Swedish national titles.