Chimaev Opens As -5000 Favorite Over Woodley In Moscow

Khamzat Chimaev has opened as a staggering -5000 betting favorite over Tyron Woodley for their Real American Freestyle wrestling match this weekend in Moscow, according to odds posted by BetOnline.

The line reflects a heavy expectation that Chimaev will dominate Woodley on the mat despite both men carrying legitimate wrestling credentials. Woodley, 44, is a two-time NCAA Division I All-American out of Missouri with 110 career wins who captured a Big 12 conference title and earned a spot in his school's athletics hall of fame. Chimaev, 32, holds three Swedish freestyle national championships and a bronze medal from the Russian junior wrestling championships, though MMA Mania notes the former UFC middleweight title challenger has faced criticism for reportedly competing against younger opponents in recent RAF bouts.

Woodley's RAF Return After Buckley Comeback

Woodley made his RAF debut last month in Cleveland with a comeback victory over UFC welterweight Joaquin Buckley at RAF 12. Chimaev last competed for the promotion in June, pinning Dillon Danis in St. Louis. Whether fans outside Russia will be able to watch the Moscow card on FOX Nation remains uncertain due to ongoing broadcast negotiations, per the MMA Mania report.

The undercard features several lopsided matchups, including Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs as a -4500 favorite over Magomed Kurbanaliev and women's wrestling standout Kennedy Blades listed at -4000 against Vusala Parfianovich. Former Penn State NCAA champion Bo Nickal sits at -750 over Shirvani Muradov, while Kyle Dake checks in at -300 against Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov.

Chimaev is still waiting for his rematch with UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland after their first bout fell through. The RAF Moscow event streams this Saturday.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — RAF odds: Khamzat balloons to -5000 betting favorite over Tyron Woodley in Moscow