Real American Freestyle Secures 5-Year Abu Dhabi Event Deal, Khamzat Chimaev to Headline Inaugural Show

Real American Freestyle (RAF) has finalized a five-year agreement with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the UAE Wrestling Federation. This collaboration will bring RAF events to Abu Dhabi.

The partnership kicks off on Saturday, November 14, at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena. The first event in the Middle East will feature global combat sports star Khamzat Chimaev as the headliner. Details regarding Chimaev's opponent are expected soon. Other prominent wrestling and combat sports figures slated to compete include Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, and Abdulrashid Sadulaev; their matchups will be revealed later.

Interested fans can register their details on VisitAbuDhabi.ae to increase their chances of securing tickets for the November 14 event.

This Abu Dhabi event marks RAF's third international appearance within its first year, following previous international debuts in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Moscow, Russia, where a September event sold out. The long-term deal with DCT Abu Dhabi positions Abu Dhabi as a key location on RAF's expanding international schedule. It's a significant move towards the league's objective of establishing a global professional wrestling platform.

“Our goal from the start has been to bring RAF to major global sports markets. Abu Dhabi is the ideal location for this next phase,” stated Chad Bronstein, CEO and Co-Founder of RAF. “Abu Dhabi is a leading hub for combat sports, possessing the vision and infrastructure to stage events with worldwide appeal. This five-year partnership allows us to make RAF Abu Dhabi a signature event and build a lasting legacy for athletes, fans, and the region.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Secretary General of the UAE Wrestling Federation, commented, “This five-year partnership is a crucial step in advancing wrestling in the UAE. Bringing world-class athletes and international events to Abu Dhabi will not only enhance the country's standing in global wrestling but also inspire future generations of athletes and support the sport's long-term growth. We anticipate a productive collaboration with Real American Freestyle and DCT Abu Dhabi to create a sustainable platform for wrestling in the UAE and generate valuable opportunities for athletes and fans.”

H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, added, “Abu Dhabi has earned a strong reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events, and we are pleased to welcome Real American Freestyle to our calendar of world-class events. This five-year partnership aligns with our ambition to host more high-profile sporting properties and offers fans in Abu Dhabi and international visitors the chance to experience elite combat sports in an exceptional setting. We look forward to developing this partnership and making RAF Abu Dhabi a consistent fixture on our sporting calendar.”

Chimaev has rapidly become one of RAF's prominent figures, known for his commanding performances and a vast international following. As a naturalized UAE citizen representing the country in international competitions, he will headline RAF's Abu Dhabi debut before a home audience.

This partnership arrives as RAF enters its second year, experiencing considerable growth both domestically and internationally. The league recently held RAF12, celebrating its one-year anniversary and marking its largest event to date in Cleveland. In just 12 months, RAF has evolved from its inaugural event in Cleveland into a year-round sports platform. It has staged sold-out events, assembled a global roster of Olympic and World champions, and combat sports stars, launched RAF NEXT GEN, and expanded its international presence.

The expansion into the United Arab Emirates aligns with RAF's strategy to deliver premium professional wrestling events directly to markets with strong combat sports fan bases, rich wrestling traditions, and world-class live event infrastructure. Through its collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi, RAF will secure a regular presence in a market recognized globally for major combat sports and live entertainment.

The main event at RAF Abu Dhabi will be supported by a full lineup featuring Olympic champions, World champions, NCAA standouts, and leading crossover athletes from wrestling and MMA.

Further details regarding matchups, venue information, ticket sales, event-week programming, and broadcast plans will be released in the coming weeks.