Tsarukyan vs. Gracie, Zabit vs. Chikadze join RAF Abu Dhabi card

Real American Freestyle has added five new matchups to its inaugural Abu Dhabi event on November 14 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, marking the launch of a five-year partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism–Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.

The card will feature a heavyweight clash between UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan (24–3) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Neiman Gracie (13–6) in a catchweight crossover bout under freestyle wrestling rules. Tsarukyan has become a regular on the RAF circuit while maintaining his UFC career; Gracie previously competed in Bellator and the Professional Fighters League.

Title defenses are also on tap: cruiserweight champion Kyle Dake faces Alp Arslan Begenjov, while women's middleweight titleholder Kennedy Blades takes on Bella Mir. Former UFC featherweight Zabit Magomedsharipov will clash with Giga Chikadze in a welterweight crossover bout. Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs meets Belarusian wrestler Azamat Nurykau at middleweight in a rematch of their 2019 world championship bout, which Burroughs won 11–10.

The main event pits Khamzat Chimaev against Colby Covington for RAF's cruiserweight crossover title. The event represents a significant crossover moment for combat sports in the region, blending elite MMA fighters with freestyle wrestling competition under unified rules.