Khamzat Chimaev to Headline RAF Debut in Abu Dhabi as Part of Major Five-Year Partnership

Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is set to headline the inaugural Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling event in Abu Dhabi this November.

On Monday, the RAF announced a landmark five-year partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the UAE Wrestling Federation to host events in the region. RAF Abu Dhabi represents the league's third international showcase in its inaugural year, following successful stops in Tbilisi, Georgia, and a sold-out event in Moscow, Russia, in September.

“From day one, our ambition 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,” stated Chad Bronstein, CEO and co-founder of RAF. He emphasized that Abu Dhabi's vision and infrastructure make it a premier destination for combat sports.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon, secretary general of the UAE Wrestling Federation, added that the collaboration represents a crucial milestone for the sport's expansion in the country, aiming to inspire future generations of athletes.

As a naturalised UAE citizen competing internationally, Khamzat Chimaev will anchor the main event in front of his home fans at Etihad Arena on November 14. The headline bout will be supported by a competitive card featuring Olympic champions, world champions, NCAA standouts, and elite crossover competitors from both wrestling and mixed martial arts.