Khamzat Chimaev to headline RAF Abu Dhabi debut on Nov. 14

Real American Freestyle has signed a five-year partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism and the United Arab Emirates Wrestling Federation, with the deal starting on November 14 at the Etihad Arena.

Khamzat Chimaev will headline the RAF’s debut event in the Middle East and his opponent will be announced in the coming weeks. Arman Tsarukyan, Henry CejudoJordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev will also compete and their matchups have yet to be determined.

Real American Freestyle signs five-year partnership with Abu Dhabi

Chimaev has become one of RAF’s crossover attractions since joining the promotion. Former
Ultimate Fighting Championship against the defending middleweight champion making his RAF debut Dillon in Dan before facing Tyron Woodley in Moscow and Gilbert Burns that RAF 13.

The Abu Dhabi event marks the RAF’s third international exhibition in the first year, following events in Tbilisi and Moscow. The new partnership will make Abu Dhabi a recurring stop on the campaign’s international calendar.

“From day one, our goal has been to bring RAF to the world’s great sports markets, and there is no better place for this next chapter than Abu Dhabi,” said RAF CEO and Co-Founder Chad Bronstein. “Abu Dhabi is one of the premier combat sports destinations with the vision and infrastructure to host world-class events. This five-year partnership gives us the opportunity to make RAF Abu Dhabi a signature event and build something meaningful for athletes, fans and the region for years to come.”

The Nov. 14 card features a mix of Olympic champions, world champions, NCAA standouts and crossover athletes from wrestling and mixed martial arts, with additional bouts and event details to be announced soon.