Tensions Rise as Khamzat Chimaev and Dillon Danis Confront Each Other Ahead of RAF 10

In an electrifying encounter leading up to their highly anticipated bout, former UFC Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Dillon Danis crossed paths in St. Louis, where they are set to compete in the main event of Real American Freestyle 10 this weekend. The match is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Chaifetz Arena.

Initially, many doubted Danis would actually appear for the fight. However, he was spotted in St. Louis, and a video released by RAF captured the two fighters in a heated exchange. The confrontation escalated quickly when Danis approached Chimaev, flanked by a security guard, and remarked, “How are you doing, brother, you good?” He then added, “I thought you would be bigger,” before proposing they engage in jiu-jitsu or MMA instead.

Chimaev, known as "Borz," welcomed the idea but quickly shifted the conversation. “You’ve been joking a lot,” he pointed out, alluding to Danis's history of trash-talking on social media. Danis responded assertively, “I say it in person, don’t I?” and emphasized that his rivalry with Chimaev is purely business, not personal.

As tensions mounted, Chimaev challenged Danis to a spontaneous street fight, stating, “Let’s do a street fight. You won’t do that. You say you do everything. A couple of minutes, street fight.” Danis accepted the challenge but questioned why Chimaev and his crew were following him, asking, “We can do it, but why don’t you want to do it one-on-one?”

The exchange then devolved into a heated discussion about cultural stereotypes, with Chimaev asserting, “In America, people jump on one person,” while Danis retorted about the reputation of Chechens and Dagestanis. Despite the escalating tensions, no physical altercation occurred, leaving fans speculating about what might unfold at the upcoming RAF 10 press conference. For now, both fighters remain on track to face off in the ring this Saturday.