RAF makes its Middle East debut at Etihad Arena on 14 November 2026.
Khamzat Chimaev headlines, with his opponent still to be announced.
The announced line-up includes Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo and Jordan Burroughs.
Real American Freestyle will take over Etihad Arena this November with a line-up of wrestling champions and MMA stars.
The UAE’s sporting calendar has another date worth circling. Real American Freestyle, better known as RAF wrestling, will make its Middle East debut at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 14 November 2026. Headlining the action is Khamzat Chimaev, with a supporting line-up that gives combat sports fans plenty of reasons to grab a seat.
The event launches a five-year partnership between the league, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation. That agreement sets the stage for a recurring RAF presence in the capital, adding another discipline to a city already closely associated with major combat sports events. For local fans, November’s debut is the beginning of a longer relationship with the league.
Chimaev will be familiar to anyone who follows mixed martial arts. The former UFC middleweight champion has built a substantial international following, and his appearance in Abu Dhabi carries a local connection, too. A naturalised UAE citizen who represents the country internationally, he will compete in front of a home crowd. His move onto the RAF stage gives supporters another setting in which to watch one of combat sports’ most recognisable names.
There is plenty of talent elsewhere on the announced card. Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev are also scheduled to compete. The combination of established wrestlers and MMA names is central to the event’s appeal, offering fans of both sports a reason to follow the action. Chimaev’s opponent and the other individual matchups have yet to be revealed.
The Abu Dhabi announcement also follows a busy opening chapter for RAF. The league recently returned to Cleveland for RAF12, marking its first anniversary with its biggest event to date. Its expansion has included overseas events in Tbilisi and Moscow, alongside the development of a roster spanning Olympic champions, world champions and crossover athletes. Abu Dhabi now forms part of that growing international ambition.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday, 14 November 2026
Contact: www.realamericanfreestyle.com