Khamzat Chimaev won’t be waiting around for his next UFC fight.
While campaigning for a rematch with Sean Strickland, the former UFC middleweight champion has booked another appearance under the Real American Freestyle banner.
The promotion announced Thursday that Chimaev will headline its first-ever event in Russia, taking on former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in Moscow on Sept. 5.
The wrestling showcase gives “Borz” another opportunity to stay active as Strickland continues recovering from injury, a setback that has delayed the pair’s anticipated rematch. Chimaev last competed at RAF 10, where he defeated Dillon Danis in a headline-grabbing match that ended in a post-fight brawl.
Woodley, meanwhile, is preparing for a busy stretch of his own. The former UFC welterweight king is scheduled to make his RAF debut against top UFC contender Joaquin Buckley on Aug. 22 before returning just two weeks later to face Chimaev in Moscow. The 44-year-old last competed earlier this year, suffering a knockout loss to Anderson Silva in his first combat sports appearance in four years.
Real American Freestyle has rapidly attracted several notable MMA names since launching in 2025, with fighters like Arman Tsarukyan also competing while awaiting their next UFC assignments. The Moscow card marks the promotion’s second international event after recently expanding into Georgia, as it continues growing beyond the United States.
