Khamzat Chimaev’s Potential RAF Opponents Revealed by Close Friend Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan reveals which opponents would be a good choice for Khamzat Chimaev's promotional debut under the RAF banner.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Potential RAF Opponents Revealed by Close Friend Arman Tsarukyan

Khamzat Chimaev's opponents outlined by Arman Tsarukyan (via Instagram)

In Short
  • Khamzat Chimaev's signing with RAF has raised questions about his debut opponent.
  • Arman Tsarukyan suggests Bo Nickal and Colby Covington as suitable matchups for Chimaev.
  • Tsarukyan and Chimaev maintain a strong bond, supporting each other in their respective fights.

Khamzat Chimaev is widely seen as one of the most intimidating wrestlers in MMA today. His signing with RAF adds another major step to his career. However, uncertainty remains over who the UFC middleweight champion will face in his first outing under the new promotion. Teammate and UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has outlined several potential opponents for his debut match.

Tsarukyan has already cemented himself as a rising star in Real American Freestyle, competing four times within just a few months. His most recent win came via a dominant technical fall over UFC veteran Urijah Faber at RAF 08, further strengthening his presence in the promotion. During that same broadcast, RAF also confirmed the signing of Khamzat Chimaev through a dramatic video montage announcement.

Since Chimaev was signed to RAF, ongoing questions have continued to surround his debut matchup under the promotion. Reacting to the signing, UFC names like Bo Nickal and Colby Covington were among the first to publicly put their names forward. However, Arman Tsarukyan believes those fighters present more suitable and competitive initial matchups for Chimaev than Olympic-level wrestlers.

I want to see Bo Nickal as well, because Bo Nickal’s a legit wrestler… and then I would like to see Colby Covington, and then Chris Weidman. Kyle Snyder is good… but [Khamzat] needs to do one, maybe maximum two, with the guys from MMA, and then he can compete with Olympic wrestlers. He hasn’t done wrestling in a long time. He’s been doing MMA for the last 10 years. He’s got to go there and just feel once how it was.

Arman Tsarukyan via The Ariel Helwani Show

Tsarukyan’s comments mirror much of what Olympic wrestler Kyle Snyder has expressed regarding Chimaev’s debut. Snyder, who has already secured two wins under the promotion, was widely viewed as a strong option for Chimaev. However, he maintained that despite Chimaev’s status as a UFC champion, he should first face standard competition before stepping in against an Olympic gold medalist like himself.

Tsarukyan and Chimaev have shared a close bond since first meeting on a Russian TUF-style television show. The Armenian star later cornered Chimaev during his UFC 319 title fight against Dricus Du Plessis, highlighting their strong bond. The Chechen phenom then returned the favor by being in Tsarukyan’s corner for his submission win against Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, further reinforcing their partnership.

Khamzat Chimaev’s signing with RAF initially raised questions about whether Arman Tsarukyan, one of the promotion’s biggest stars, could see his standing impacted. However, Tsarukyan quickly dismissed that notion, indicating both fighters can build their own superstardom simultaneously. With that clarity in place, attention now turns to who ‘Borz’ will face in his highly anticipated RAF debut.

Khamzat Chimaev trains with #4 ranked middleweight contender ahead of his inaugural title defense

As Khamzat Chimaev prepares to face Sean Strickland in his first UFC title defense at UFC 328, his training setup has drawn attention. He has been working at Treigning Lab and Santo Studio under coaches Sam Calavitta and BJJ specialist Bernard Tovalaro. The environment has also provided exposure to high-level partners like Khalil Rountree Jr. and Aaron Pico, strengthening his preparation.

Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev (via Instagram)

Recent training footage shows Khamzat Chimaev working closely alongside fellow middleweight Brendan Allen, who is ranked No. 4 in the division. The two were seen actively sparring with a sharp and focused approach during sessions at Santo Studio. The footage, recorded by Russian journalist Adam Zubayraev, offers a detailed glimpse into the intensity of the middleweight champion’s preparation.

Brendan Allen is coming off a short-notice victory over Reinier de Ridder at UFC Vancouver in October 2025. He is now scheduled to face Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas in June 2026, continuing his climb in the middleweight division. If Allen secures another win, he could emerge as a future challenger for Khamzat Chimaev, especially if the champion successfully defends his title at UFC 328.

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