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Khamzat Chimaev needed just 94 seconds to make another statement on the wrestling mat. The former UFC middleweight champion defeated ex UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley by first round pinfall in the main event of RAF Moscow on Saturday at the Mytishchi Arena in Moscow, Russia. The bout took place at a 195 pound catchweight and marked Chimaev’s second appearance for Real American Freestyle.
Chimaev entered the contest following his impressive RAF debut against Dillon Danis in June. He pinned Danis in less than a minute, and his victory over Woodley means he now has two RAF appearances and two first round pins. For Woodley, the result ended a brief winning run in RAF, although his appearance in Moscow came with considerable wrestling credentials of his own.
Chimaev overwhelms Woodley in the opening period
Woodley did not hesitate to test Chimaev. The former UFC welterweight champion shot first and managed to get deep on a single leg. Chimaev reacted quickly, shut down the attempt and forced a restart on the feet.
Chimaev then began building his position through push outs, picking up two points in the early exchanges. Woodley continued looking for an opportunity to close the distance, but that approach ultimately created the opening Chimaev needed.
As Woodley attempted to move inside and either push Chimaev out of bounds or attack a double leg, Chimaev reversed the position.
What followed was decisive. Chimaev lifted Woodley into the air and slammed him back onto the mat before securing control and pinning both shoulders. The referee immediately stopped the contest, giving Chimaev the victory at 1:34 of the first period.
The finish was particularly notable because Woodley is no stranger to elite wrestling. The American was a two time All American during his collegiate career at the University of Missouri, making the matchup more than a meeting between two former UFC champions.
Two RAF fights, two first round pins
Khamzat Chimaev’s transition into RAF has been remarkably straightforward so far. His first appearance came in June, when he faced Dillon Danis. The Chechen fighter controlled the contest and secured a first round pin in less than a minute. Against Woodley, he delivered another quick finish despite facing a much more accomplished wrestler.
The victory reinforces how effectively Chimaev’s aggressive wrestling style has transferred to RAF’s freestyle format. His UFC career has already been defined by relentless pressure and dominant grappling, and his opening two RAF performances have followed a similar pattern.
There is also a clear level of physicality to his wrestling. Against Woodley, Chimaev did not simply accumulate points. He waited for the former champion to commit before reversing the attack and turning it into a match ending sequence.
Chimaev already has another match booked
There will be little time for Khamzat Chimaev to rest. His next RAF appearance is already scheduled for September 18 at RAF 13 in Miami, where he will face another familiar name from his UFC career, Gilbert Burns. The matchup gives Chimaev an opportunity to make it three consecutive first round pins in the promotion.
Chimaev was asked who he wanted to face next after his victory over Woodley. His response was characteristically brief.
“For me, it doesn’t matter. Anyone. I have a match coming up in two weeks.”
The Burns matchup will be particularly interesting because the two already have history in MMA. Their previous UFC meeting went the distance, with Chimaev earning a unanimous decision victory in a highly competitive contest. This time, they will meet under RAF’s wrestling rules rather than inside the UFC Octagon.
Woodley had only recently returned to winning ways
Although Woodley suffered a quick defeat against Chimaev, his recent RAF run had already produced an important result.
The former UFC welterweight champion made his RAF debut against Joaquin Buckley and secured a comeback victory. That win was especially significant because it represented Woodley’s first combat sports victory in eight years.
His loss to Chimaev therefore came only weeks after one of the most significant victories of his recent career. Woodley now has a defeat against one of the world’s most accomplished active MMA wrestlers, but RAF provides him with an opportunity to continue competing against high profile opponents from both MMA and wrestling.
RAF Moscow delivered a stacked wrestling card
The Chimaev and Woodley main event was only one part of an unusually deep RAF Moscow lineup.
The event featured several elite wrestlers and combat sports names, including Olympic champions, former world champions and UFC veterans.
Two time Olympic champion and five time world champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev defeated Zac Braunagel 8 to 6 in a notable light heavyweight contest. Kyle Snyder also successfully defended his RAF light heavyweight championship, beating Akhmed Tazhudinov 11 to 5.
Jordan Burroughs produced one of the night’s most dominant performances, defeating Magomed Kurbanaliev 10 to 0 by technical fall.
Kennedy Blades also recorded a 10 to 0 technical fall against Vusala Parfianovich to retain the women’s middleweight championship.
Another former UFC name, Bo Nickal, defeated Shirvani Muradov 11 to 7. Shara Magomedov also made his RAF debut against Neiman Gracie, winning their cruiserweight contest 11 to 3.
With Chimaev already booked for another match, RAF has quickly established a recurring place in his competitive schedule. His second appearance produced the same result as his first, and the next test against Burns is now only two weeks away.
RAF Moscow full results
• Khamzat Chimaev vs. Tyron Woodley: Chimaev won by pinfall, 1:34
• Abdulrashid Sadulaev vs. Zac Braunagel: Sadulaev won 8 – 6
• Zahid Valencia vs. Ibragim Kadiev: Valencia won 9 – 5
• Shara Magomedov vs. Neiman Gracie: Magomedov won 11 – 3
• Kyle Snyder vs. Akhmed Tazhudinov: Snyder won 11 – 5
• Kyle Dake vs. Kadik: Dake won 7 – 6
• Jordan Burroughs vs. Magomed Kurbanaliev: Burroughs won 10 – 0 by technical fall
• Kennedy Blades vs. Vusala Parfianovich: Blades won 10 – 0 by technical fall
• Bo Nickal vs. Shirvani Muradov: Nickal won 11 – 8
• Jason Nolf vs. Ismail Khaniev: 5 – 5, Nolf won on criteria
• Pouya Rahmani vs. Anatoly Malykhin: Rahmani won 10 – 3
• Yusuf Raisov vs. Marif Piraev: Raisov won 12 – 2 by technical fall
• Vito Arujau vs. Soslan Ramonov: Arujau won 13 – 3 by technical fall
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