Khamzat Chimaev’s RAF 10 debut marred by chaotic brawl with Dillon Danis

Khamzat Chimaev and Dillon Danis made things ugly quick at RAF 10 this past Saturday.

Chimaev and Danis shared the mat inside Saint Louis University. “Borz” managed to pin Danis in under a minute, but it didn’t take long for a brawl to ensue. Words were exchanged before Danis threw his foot up at Chimaev, who responded with a kick to the leg. Members of both teams stormed the mat and fists were flying before both parties were finally separated.

It’s not the first time a brawl has taken place under the RAF banner. Despite hosting freestyle wrestling matches, this is the second time a fist-fight has broken out in the first 10 RAF events. The first incident occurred at RAF 6 when UFC Lightweight Arman Tsarykyan threw a punch and a knee at Georgio Poullas. Tsarukyan and Poullas have since squashed their beef.

Danis and Chimaev have also been involved in separate brawls in the past. “El Jefe” caused quite the scene when he was disqualified in a boxing match against current WWE superstar Logan Paul. Danis charged at Paul and it led to a fracas that immediately saw both men kept apart. Meanwhile, Chimaev had a backstage altercation with Kevin Holland that led to the cancellation of a UFC 279 press conference back in 2022.

After the RAF 10 event, RAF founder Eric Bischoff told reporters that the brawl “was not a good situation at all.” Bischoff maintained that his goal with RAF is still to provide family-friendly combat sports despite the aforementioned brawls early in the promotion’s life.

This was Chimaev’s first competitive outings since losing the UFC Middleweight Championship to Sean Strickland back in May. He has been calling for an immediate title rematch. UFC CEO Dana White has said he isn’t committing to what’s next at 185 pounds just yet.

What do you make of the brawl between Khamzat Chimaev and Dillon Danis at RAF 10? Share your opinion in the comments below.