In a heated encounter this Thursday in St Louis, Khamzat Chimaev and Dillon Danis were forcibly kept apart by security guards after the duo suddenly proposed settling their differences in a “street fight” rather than on the mats. The altercation took place as both fighters arrived for RAF 10, where they are scheduled to clash under freestyle wrestling rules this Saturday night.
Tense impromptu face-off at RAF weigh-in vicinity
Video footage released by Real American Freestyle shows Danis approaching Chimaev shortly after both men landed in Missouri for the main event. The conversation quickly turned confrontational when Danis quipped, “I thought you would be bigger,” prompting Chimaev to fire back, “Big enough for you.”
As spectators looked on, the two traded barbs over rule sets – from submission grappling to MMA – before Chimaev suggested, “Let’s do a street fight.” Danis accepted the offer, leading officials to step in and separate the pair mere feet apart.
Khamzat Chimaev just ran into Dillon Danis and asked him to fight on the streets 😳
🗣️ Khamzat: “Let’s do street fight. You won’t do that. Couple of minutes, street fight.”
🗣️ Danis: “I’ll do everything bro. Let’s do it.”
(via @RAFWrestlingUSA) pic.twitter.com/0567rlHcnQ
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 11, 2026
Building anticipation for the RAF 10 main event
Chimaev’s return to competition follows his UFC middleweight title loss in May, a bout after which he publicly requested an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland. Keen to remain active ahead of any potential rematch, ‘Borz’ signed on to face Danis in his first appearance since that defeat.
Danis, widely known for his grappling background and controversial comments, debuted in RAF in March, dropping a tech-fall decision to Colby Covington. The prospect of the two heavy personalities colliding has already stoked fan interest, with the street-fight exchange only intensifying attention on the upcoming match.
Previous brawls underscore on-mat risks
RAF officials have warned that security measures could be increased after the Thursday incident, but once the whistle blows on Saturday, anything may happen. The promotion has seen unsanctioned skirmishes before, most notably when Arman Tsarukyan sparked a post-match brawl with Georgio Poullas following their grudge bout in February.
Given both Chimaev’s wrestling pedigree and Danis’s submission skills, analysts expect a fierce contest. The recent face-off suggests that raw emotions may spill over once the match begins, potentially echoing earlier clashes in the organisation’s history.
With tensions running high and security on alert, RAF 10 promises more than just a grappling showcase when Chimaev and Danis finally square off this weekend.
FAQ
When and where did the face-off between Chimaev and Danis occur?
The face-off took place this Thursday in St Louis, Missouri, shortly after both fighters arrived for RAF 10. They were separated by security before the impromptu confrontation could escalate.
What led to the security intervention?
During their exchange, Chimaev and Danis agreed to settle matters with a “street fight,” prompting officials to step in and prevent any physical altercation outside the sanctioned freestyle wrestling match.
What are Chimaev and Danis’s recent records before RAF 10?
Khamzat Chimaev last competed in May, suffering a UFC middleweight title loss. Dillon Danis made his RAF debut in March, losing to Colby Covington via technical fall.
How might the incident impact RAF 10?
RAF organisers are expected to bolster security following the face-off. However, past brawls, such as the Tsarukyan-Poullas melee, highlight the unpredictable nature of the event once the match begins.