Real American Freestyle (RAF) is going global.
The promotion today announced its first International fight card set for July 11 at Tbilisi Arena in Georgia, headlined by hometown hero Merab Dvalishvili. “The Machine” will take on fellow former UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo.
Olympic Gold Medalists Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Kyle Snyder collide in the RAF Georgia co-main event.
“Wrestling has always been a global sport. What it has lacked is a global platform,” said Chad Bronstein, CEO and Co-Founder
of RAF. “RAF was built to change that. Georgia is home to some of the greatest wrestlers in the world and one of the proudest wrestling cultures anywhere. We couldn’t imagine a better place to launch our international expansion.”
RAF Georgia also features Olympic Silver Medalist Givi Matcharashvili against two-time NCAA All-American Zach Elam. Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time World Champion Geno Petriashvili and UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan are among confirmed competitors for July 11.
“Wrestling is part of Georgia’s identity, and there is no better place for RAF to launch its international expansion — the energy, passion, and tradition of wrestling make this the perfect place,” said Tevdore Makashvilli, Country Lead, RAF Georgia. “Our athletes have spent decades proving themselves on the Olympic and world stage, and now RAF is bringing a new level of opportunity, visibility, and excitement to the sport. This event will showcase some of the best wrestlers in the world in front of one of the most passionate wrestling fan bases anywhere. We’re proud to partner with RAF — it’s a statement about where the sport is headed, and we’re excited for Georgia to help lead that future.”
Additional matchups for RAF Georgia are expected to be announced in the coming days.
