Full Breakdown
Khamzat Chimaev to Headline Real American Freestyle’s Abu Dhabi Debut Under New Five-Year Partnership
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Five-Year Deal Brings RAF to Etihad Arena on November 14
Real American Freestyle (RAF) has signed a five-year agreement with the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the UAE Wrestling Federation to stage annual wrestling events at Etihad Arena. The inaugural show under the deal is scheduled for November 14 and will feature former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev in the main event; his opponent has not yet been disclosed. The card will also include Olympic and world champions such as Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev.
Background & Context
RAF launched its hybrid wrestling-MMA format in 2024 and entered its second year with rapid growth. After debuting in Cleveland, the promotion expanded internationally with events in Tbilisi, Georgia and Moscow, Russia, marking its third overseas stop with the Abu Dhabi show. The league’s strategy emphasizes bringing “world-class athletes and international events” to markets that already host major combat-sports spectacles. High-profile UFC fighters have become regular participants, helping RAF build a global roster and increase its visibility.
Data & Statistics
- Five-year partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
- Third international venue for RAF, following Tbilisi and Moscow.
- Second-year milestone: RAF has staged 15 cards, including a sold-out September event in Moscow and a recent 15th-card in Miami.
- Star-studded lineup: at least six Olympic or world champions confirmed for the November 14 event.
Official Statements & Responses
RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein said the agreement aligns with the promotion’s ambition to enter “the world’s great sports markets,” noting Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure and reputation for premier combat-sports events. Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon, secretary general of the UAE Wrestling Federation, described the partnership as an “important step” for the sport’s growth in the UAE, emphasizing its potential to strengthen the nation’s global wrestling profile and inspire future athletes. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general for tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, highlighted the emirate’s aim to expand its calendar of high-profile sporting properties and provide fans with elite combat-sports experiences.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Chad Bronstein, RAF co-founder
- “Bringing world-class athletes and international events to Abu Dhabi will not only strengthen the country’s position on the global wrestling stage, but also inspire the next generation of athletes and support the long-term development of the sport,” — Sheikh Hamdan
- “Abu Dhabi’s going to be crazy,” — Khamzat Chimaev, UFC middleweight champion
- “Abu Dhabi is one of the premier destinations for combat sports, with the vision and infrastructure to deliver events that resonate globally,” — Chad Bronstein, RAF co-founder
What’s Next
The opponent for Chimaev will be announced in the coming weeks, and RAF will continue to roll out additional events in Abu Dhabi each year under the five-year framework. The partnership also positions the promotion to host further international shows as it pursues its goal of establishing a lasting global presence for professional wrestling.