Chimaev calls Danis an 'idiot' and issues street-fight challenge after RAF 10 brawl

Khamzat Chimaev pinned Dillon Danis in the first period of their wrestling match at RAF 10 on Saturday, but the bout is being remembered for what happened after the final whistle — a chaotic brawl that flooded the stage with dozens of people and left officials scrambling to restore order.

Danis refused to release Chimaev’s foot as the referee attempted to separate the pair following the pinfall. Chimaev responded with a kick to Danis’ leg, and the confrontation immediately escalated into a large-scale melee. Chimaev left the arena shortly after the incident before addressing the media.

“What should I think? Stupid guys do stupid things,” Chimaev told Red Corner MMA on Sunday. “I accept something like that. He knows he wasn’t my level in wrestling so he felt that and then he tried to sub me. Like do submission, bro. If he did a submission on me, I’m never going to train again. He’s a weird guy, honestly. You know I try to hold myself but this idiot do stupid things. What should we do?”

The tension between the two had been building throughout the week. Chimaev had publicly invited Danis to a street fight before the event, though the atmosphere at the RAF 10 pre-match press conference was more subdued, with Chimaev brushing off Danis’ remarks and the faceoff remaining largely good-natured. That changed quickly once the match began — Danis appeared to reach for a guillotine choke during Chimaev’s first takedown attempt before the pinfall was secured moments later.

RAF officials expressed their displeasure at the post-match chaos but have not yet announced whether either competitor could face consequences that would affect their future involvement with the promotion.

Chimaev made clear he has no interest in letting the matter rest. “I was thinking winning the match then outside I want to ask him let’s go. Let’s dance outside,” he said. “I asked him before like [let’s] do a street fight, you know? He don’t want it. He knew a lot of security is going to be there and that’s why he was doing same shit stuff. Whenever he wants, just send me a message [with] location wherever you are and so I’m open.”