Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns scheduled for RAF 13 wrestling match

3 sources3 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 3:47 PM

Last updated Sep 2, 2026

Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns scheduled for RAF 13 wrestling match
Summary

Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns are set to meet in a catchweight co-main event for the freestyle wrestling promotion Real American Freestyle. The match takes place September 18 at the Watsco Center in Miami. The card is headlined by a cruiserweight championship bout between Colby Covington and Belal Muhammad. Chimaev and Burns previously fought in a 2022 UFC match, which Chimaev won by unanimous decision. Chimaev enters the event following a run of RAF appearances, including a win over Dillon Danis and a scheduled match against Tyron Woodley this Saturday. Burns retired from professional MMA competition in April following a five-fight losing streak but continues to compete in grappling events, most recently securing a victory over Horlando Monteiro in June. This appearance marks his first under the RAF banner.

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By the Numbers
  • Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns will face each other September 18 at RAF 13 in Miami.
  • The event takes place at the Watsco Center and features a main event between Colby Covington and Belal Muhammad.
  • Chimaev previously won a unanimous decision against Burns during UFC 273.
  • Gilbert Burns moved to grappling competition after retiring from professional MMA in April.
  • Chimaev is scheduled to face Tyron Woodley in the main event of RAF Moscow this Saturday.
Latest Updates
  • 3:47 PMYahoo SportsKhamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns rematch set to co-headline RAF 13
  • 2:38 PMMMA FightingKhamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns rematch set for RAF 13 co-main event
  • 2:38 PMYahoo SportsKhamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns rematch set for RAF 13 co-main event
What they're saying
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: (L-R) Opponents Gilbert Burns of Brazil and Khamzat Chimaev of Russia face off during the UFC 273 ceremonial weigh-in at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 08, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns meet again, this time on the RAF mats. The freestyle wrestling promotion announced Wednesday that Chimaev and Burns are set to fight in the catchweight co-main event of RAF 13, which takes place Sept. 18 at Watsco Center in Miami and is headlined by a grudge match between Colby Covington and Belal Muhammad. MIAMI’S CO-MAIN EVENT JUST DROPPED 🔥 Khamzat Chimaev vs Gilbert Burns SEP 18 at #RAF13 Tickets in bio. Watch on @foxnation pic.twitter.com/5t4CR4iVB6 — Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) September 2, 2026 Chimaev and Burns have a history, with Chimaev winning a unanimous decision over Burns in a hotly contested fight at UFC 273 in 2022. At the time, Chimaev was 10-0 as a pro with all of his wins coming by way of knockout or submission and Burns proved to be Chimaev’s toughest test yet. When Chimaev steps onto the mats, it will mark his third RAF appearance in four months. He defeated Dillon Danis this past June at RAF 10 and is scheduled to wrestle former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley this Saturday in the main event of RAF Moscow. In Chimaev’s most recent UFC appearance in May, he suffered his first loss and dropped the middleweight title to Sean Strickland. Burns retired from MMA competition this past April after Mike Malott sent him to a fifth straight loss at UFC Winnipeg. The one-time welterweight title challenger said he will continue to participate in grappling competitions and scored an 82-second submission victory over Horlando Monteiro at a UFC BJJ event in June. He competes under the RAF banner for the first time. In the Sept. 18 main event, Covington defends his crossover cruiserweight championship belt against longtime rival Muhammad.

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Khamzat Chimaev, already booked to wrestle for RAF this Saturday in Moscow, already has agreed to his next match two weeks later.

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Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns meet again at RAF 13

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