RAF has inked a multi-year deal with Abu Dhabi and various UFC stars have been added to the card.
Real American Freestyle announced a five-year deal with Abu Dhabi, with their debut event set on Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena. Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev headlines the event against an opponent to be announced.
RAF IS COMING TO ABU DHABI. 🇦🇪@KChimaev headlines our UAE debut on November 14 at Etihad Arena.
— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) September 21, 2026
More of the biggest names in wrestling and combat sports to be announced.
Khamzat’s opponent coming soon.
RAF ABU DHABI. NOV 14.
Register your interest at link in bio. pic.twitter.com/lDN1rX0zbg
Also expected to compete on the card is UFC 331 winner Arman Tsarukyan, who knocked out Mauricio Ruffy in Saturday's co-headliner at Crypto.com
Arena in Los Angeles. Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, and Abdulrashid Sadulaev are also confirmed for the card, but their opponents are also yet to be announced.
Chimaev went 3-0 under the RAF banner when he defeated Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of RAF 13 this past Friday in Florida. He let it slip in the RAF 13 press conference that he will face Colby Covington, who defeated Belal Muhammad in a 10-0 technical fall in the main event. While that matchup isn't confirmed, Covington said he would be open to facing Chimaev next.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Khamzat Chimaev headlines RAF Abu Dhabi in November, Arman Tsarukyan also competes
