Chimaev Confirms Burns Rematch At RAF 13

Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns will settle their rivalry on the wrestling mats when they meet in the co-main event of RAF 13 on Sept. 18 at Watsco Center in Miami, the freestyle wrestling promotion announced Wednesday.

The catchweight bout serves as a rematch of their unanimous decision fight at UFC 273 in April 2022, when Chimaev pushed his pro MMA record to 11-0 despite facing his toughest opponent to date. Burns took the undefeated Chechen into the third round after Chimaev had finished all ten of his previous opponents inside the distance.

Chimaev's Busy RAF Schedule Continues

The Sept. 18 appearance marks Chimaev's third RAF outing in four months. He submitted Dillon Danis at RAF 10 in June and is scheduled to face former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley this Saturday in the main event of RAF Moscow. Chimaev suffered his first pro loss in May when Sean Strickland took the UFC middleweight title from him via decision.

Burns retired from MMA in April after dropping five consecutive fights, the last a loss to Mike Malott at UFC Winnipeg, per MMA Fighting. The former welterweight title challenger has shifted his focus to grappling and submitted Horlando Monteiro in 82 seconds at a UFC BJJ event in June. The RAF 13 bout represents his promotional debut.

The card is headlined by a grudge match between Colby Covington and Belal Muhammad, with Covington defending his crossover cruiserweight championship belt against his longtime rival.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns rematch set for RAF 13 co-main event