Khamzat Chimaev’s return card in RAF features the debut of MMA’s first-ever triple champion

A heavyweight powerhouse is heading to the Real American Freestyle mats.

Khamzat Chimaev is amongst the foremost names from the mixed martial arts world who’ve kept busy between fights in RAF.

The wrestling organization has made a direct 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 primary event outside of the USA happening in Georgia a couple of weeks back. Next is a visit to Russia, where MMA fans won’t be in need 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 on the White House saw him fall in need of becoming the primary triple champion in UFC history.

While the game’s leading promotion remains to be awaiting its first three-weight champ, one behemoth has already achieved that feat elsewhere.

Anatoly Malykhin is a former three-division ONE champion, having collected titles at heavyweight, light heavyweight (225 kilos), and middleweight (205 kilos). That achievement put the Russian’s name within the history books as the primary 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 day out. For his next competitive appearance, Malykhin will debut in RAF.

Before Chimaev wrestles Tyron Woodley within the essential 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 cardboard headlined by Raul Rosas Jr.’s win over Zabit Magomedsharipov’s brother.

As of writing, Chimaev vs Woodley and Malykhin vs Rahmani are the one two matches announced for RAF’s first event in Russia on September 5.