Robbie Lawler Coming Out of Retirement to Face Khamzat Chimaev

Robbie Lawler will return to competition for the first time since retiring from MMA in 2023 to face Khamzat Chimaev (3-0, RAF) in a wrestling match at Real American Freestyle 14.

The former UFC welterweight champion will make his RAF debut against former UFC middleweight champion Chimaev in a catchweight bout. The match serves as the co-main event of RAF 14 on October 23 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, with Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dillon Danis headlining.

Lawler, 44, was an all-state high school wrestler in Bettendorf, Iowa, before pursuing MMA but did not compete in wrestling beyond high school. He retired from MMA following a 38-second knockout of Niko Price at UFC 290 in July 2023.

Chimaev is a three-time Swedish national wrestling champion and has already competed for RAF in 2026. His recent grappling appearances include victories over Dillon Danis and Tyron Woodley by pinfall and Gilbert Burns by 15-4 tech fall, earlier this month.

Other competitors on the card include former UFC welterweight Michael ‘Venom’ Page and Olympic wrestling gold medalist Jordan Burroughs, among others.