Robbie Lawler to Wrestle Khamzat Chimaev at RAF 14

Former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler is returning to the wrestling mats. Real American Freestyle announced on Wednesday that Lawler will make his promotional debut against former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev in a catchweight bout at RAF 14.

The matchup marks the first competitive appearance for the 44-year-old UFC Hall of Famer since he retired from mixed martial arts in 2023. In his final MMA bout, Lawler delivered a highlight-reel knockout victory over Niko Price at UFC 290. Prior to his mixed martial arts career, Lawler was an all-state high school wrestler.

Chimaev, a three-time Swedish national wrestling champion, transitioned into RAF competition earlier this summer after losing his UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. "Borz" has since compiled a 2-0 record in the promotion, securing fall victories over both Dillon Danis and former UFC champion Tyron Woodley.

RAF 14 is scheduled to take place on Oct. 23 at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. The event will be headlined by an RAF championship bout between Arman Tsarukyan and Dillon Danis.