Chimaev and Burns reunite on the wrestling mat four years after their UFC 273 classic

Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns will face each other again, this time on the wrestling mat at Real American Freestyle 13 on Sept. 18 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida — more than four years after their memorable UFC 273 meeting, which earned Fight of the Night honours.

The two first collided in April 2022 in one of the UFC’s most celebrated bouts of that year. Chimaev, the former UFC middleweight titleholder, edged Burns — a former welterweight title challenger — via decision in a gruelling contest that cemented both men’s reputations for toughness.

For Burns, the RAF 13 bout represents his debut in the promotion. The Brazilian announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in April following a loss to Mike Malott, his fifth consecutive defeat. Since stepping away from MMA, Burns has shifted focus to fighter management and has also competed in UFC BJJ events.

Chimaev, meanwhile, is keeping a busy schedule on the RAF circuit. Before the Burns rematch, “Borz” is set to face former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of RAF Moscow on Sept. 5. He made his RAF debut earlier this year against Dillon Danis.

The Chimaev-Burns wrestling match adds a notable co-main event to the RAF 13 card and gives fans a fresh context in which to revisit one of the decade’s more compelling MMA rivalries — albeit with a very different ruleset this time around.