Khamzat Chimaev Returns To Competition In June, But Not In The UFC

This is a quick turnaround, and it might be right on time for Chimaev.

The RAF detour doesn't replace Chimaev's UFC career, but it does buy him something he hasn't had in years: a different stage to reset his momentum.

Coming off the split-decision loss to Strickland, his first defeat in MMA, getting back in front of a crowd against Danis is a low-octane way to stay sharp without rushing into another five-round championship gauntlet. He also doesn’t have to take any strikes.

His Cruiserweight signing also signals that the move to light heavyweight in the UFC isn't theoretical. RAF mat work at a heavier weight gives him reps at a frame closer to his future 205-pound home, with the bonus of staying in front of fans while UFC matchmakers sort out his next octagon assignment.

Why Is Dillon Danis the Right Opponent for This Spot?

Danis works as the perfect first dance partner for several reasons. He's a legitimate grappler with a Marcelo Garcia pedigree, but his combat sports résumé is short enough that a Chimaev win is expected — which is exactly what a comeback spot needs to look like. Anything less than dominance would create a second wave of questions Chimaev doesn't need right now.

The other piece is noise.

Danis already wrestled at RAF07 against Colby Covington and brings built-in attention to anything he touches. RAF gets a headline match, Chimaev gets a credible-enough opponent to look impressive against, and the post-UFC 328 conversation gets a fresh hook that isn’t about the Strickland loss. It could actually help people forget it happened.

It’s 2026 and everybody has a short attention span.

What Should Fans Expect From a Chimaev Wrestling Match?

A pure freestyle wrestling match strips out the striking variable that exposed Chimaev against Strickland and puts him on the part of the mat where he's still elite. He's a three-time Swedish national champion in freestyle and has used wrestling to physically dominate the bulk of his 15-0 MMA résumé.

That said, RAF is freestyle, not folkstyle or MMA grappling — and Danis is comfortable enough on the ground that he can survive scrambles longer than most opponents Chimaev has faced.

This may not be the rout some expect.

Expect Chimaev to push the pace early, but don't expect this to look like one of his UFC clinics. The rule set rewards patience and points, which means Chimaev's usual maul-and-finish approach will need to translate into mat returns and scoring positions.

What's Next for Chimaev After RAF10?

The UFC light heavyweight division is the long-term answer, and it's a deeper, more dangerous neighborhood than the middleweight room he just left. A clean win over Danis at RAF10 doesn't move him up the UFC rankings, but it does keep him visible and in fight shape while the UFC sorts its 205-pound picture.

If Chimaev looks dominant in St. Louis, the Strickland loss becomes a style-and-cardio footnote rather than the start of a slide. If the wrestling match goes sloppy or competitive in a way it shouldn't, the questions that surfaced at UFC 328 only get louder. Either way, June 13 is the most important non-UFC night of his career.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com