Credit: Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC

Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will stay active on the wrestling mats against a familiar foe.

After suffering one of the biggest upsets in UFC history earlier this year, Khamzat Chimaev is determined to make another middleweight title push after recently hinting at a move to light heavyweight. Chimaev, who lost to Sean Strickland by split decision earlier this year, called out a slew of top middleweights for his planned return to the Octagon.

Despite initially teasing a move to the light heavyweight division, Chimaev seems to have had a change of heart and eyes an eventual rematch with Strickland. Meanwhile, Strickland is widely expected to fight top middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov, potentially by year’s end.

After defeating Dillon Danis in his highly anticipated Real American Freestyle wrestling debut earlier this year, Chimaev is looking to stay active on the mats. Despite long-standing beef with Colby Covington, Chimaev will face a familiar rival in his wrestling return.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns 2 added to Colby Covington-headlined card

As announced by RAF on Wednesday, Chimaev will compete against former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns in the RAF 13 co-main event on September 18th. The matchup will be contested at a catchweight.

Burns retired from the UFC earlier this year at UFC Winnipeg following a loss to Mike Malott. He last competed in submission grappling earlier this summer, defeating Horlando Monteiro at UFC BJJ 9.

Burns handed Chimaev one of the toughest tests of his UFC career at UFC 273. After their three-round war, Chimaev escaped with a unanimous decision win on the judges’ scorecards.

The RAF 13 pits former UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington against former UFC titleholder Belal Muhammad in the main event. Covington and Muhammad nearly brawled at a post-match press conference earlier this year.

Who should Khamzat Chimaev fight next in his UFC return? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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