Khamzat Chimaev returns to Abu Dhabi as RAF begins five-year partnership
Khamzat Chimaev will headline Real American Freestyle’s Abu Dhabi debut after the wrestling promotion announced a five-year partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
RAF’s first event in the Middle East will take place at Etihad Arena on Nov. 14, with Khamzat Chimaev’s opponent yet to be announced. The promotion also confirmed several other major wrestling names for the card, including Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev.
Chimaev has already competed three times under the RAF banner this year. He most recently defeated Gilbert Burns by a 15-4 technical fall at RAF 13 on Sept. 18, improving his RAF record to 3-0.
Khamzat Chimaev Gets Major Role for RAF’s Abu Dhabi Debut
The November event represents RAF’s third international destination in its first year, following events in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Moscow, Russia. The new five-year partnership will bring RAF events to Abu Dhabi as the promotion continues its expansion outside the United States.
Chimaev is also a particularly fitting headliner for the Abu Dhabi event. The former UFC middleweight champion is a naturalized UAE citizen and represents the country internationally. He said the Etihad Arena is only about five minutes from his home and described the opportunity as a major moment for Abu Dhabi and wrestling.
His opponent will be announced later, leaving the main matchup for the November event open.
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
Arman Tsarukyan Also Joins RAF’s Abu Dhabi Card
Chimaev will not be the only UFC name competing at the event. Tsarukyan is also confirmed for the Abu Dhabi card after knocking out Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event of UFC 331 on September 19.
Tsarukyan is already scheduled to compete at RAF 14 against Dillon Danis before the Abu Dhabi event. That match is set for Oct. 3 in Las Vegas and will be contested for the RAF Middleweight Crossover Championship.
The Abu Dhabi card will also feature Olympic champion Henry Cejudo and elite wrestlers Burroughs, Snyder and Sadulaev, although their opponents have not yet been announced.
