A heavyweight powerhouse is heading to the Real American Freestyle mats.
Khamzat Chimaev is among the major names from the mixed martial arts world who have kept busy between fights in RAF.
The wrestling organization has made an immediate impact since launching in 2025, with the likes of ‘Borz’, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili, Abdulrashid Sadulaev, Dillon Danis, and Colby Covington all competing.
The promotion has begun to spread overseas, with the first event outside of the United States taking place in Georgia a few weeks back. Next is a trip to Russia, where MMA fans won’t be short of recognizable names.
How disappointing was Khamzat Chimaev’s reign as UFC middleweight champion? 😳
Anatoly Malykhin to make his RAF debut on Khamzat Chimaev’s Moscow undercard
Alex Pereira’s loss to Ciryl Gane at the White House saw him fall short of becoming the first triple champion in UFC history.
While the sport’s leading promotion is still awaiting its first three-weight champ, one behemoth has already accomplished that feat elsewhere.
Anatoly Malykhin is a former three-division ONE champion, having collected titles at heavyweight, light heavyweight (225 pounds), and middleweight (205 pounds). That achievement put the Russian’s name in the history books as the first fighter to win major MMA titles across three separate weight classes.
The 38-year-old is 15-1 in MMA and regained the heavyweight gold in Asia’s largest organization last time out. For his next competitive appearance, Malykhin will debut in RAF.
Before Chimaev wrestles Tyron Woodley in the main event of RAF Moscow on September 5, ‘Sladkiy’ will face fellow heavyweight newcomer Pouya Rahmani.
Rahmani fights out of the United Arab Emirates and is 6-0 in MMA, most recently winning two bouts under the PFL banner.
The 34-year-old has grappling experience and is coming off a victory over Ali Isaev at ACBJJ 21, the card headlined by Raul Rosas Jr.’s win over Zabit Magomedsharipov’s brother.
As of writing, Chimaev vs Woodley and Malykhin vs Rahmani are the only two matches announced for RAF’s first event in Russia on September 5.
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