One of the most thrilling wars in recent UFC history is getting a second chapter—this time without gloves. Former UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev and former Welterweight title contender Gilbert Burns will run it back in a freestyle wrestling match under the RAF promotion.
The showdown is scheduled for September 18, 2026, at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
Their original clash took place on April 10, 2022, at UFC 273, where Chimaev edged out a unanimous decision in an instant-classic MMA brawl.
Where both fighters stand:
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Khamzat Chimaev has been keeping busy on the mats. After defeating Dillon Danis at RAF 10 in June, he is scheduled to fight former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of RAF Moscow on September 5. This comes after losing his UFC Middleweight belt to Sean Strickland in May.
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Gilbert Burns officially retired from MMA in April following a loss to Mike Malott at UFC Winnipeg. The Brazilian veteran immediately pivoted to competitive grappling and wrestling, with this high-profile matchup serving as his official RAF debut.
